What Are the Best Ways to Manage Typhoid and Colitis Flare-Ups During Winter?
As winter arrives, people with chronic conditions like typhoid and colitis face unique challenges. Cold weather can trigger flare-ups, leading to discomfort. Managing these flare-ups in the colder months requires careful planning and awareness of environmental factors that can worsen symptoms.
If you’ve been wondering how to manage your colitis flare-ups or boost your immune system during typhoid recovery this winter, you’re in the right place. The objective of this blog is to provide practical, research-backed strategies to help you stay healthy and reduce flare-ups during the season.
What is the impact of winter on typhoid and colitis flare-ups?
Typhoid fever and colitis may seem unrelated, but winter can affect both conditions in surprising ways. Understanding how cold weather impacts your immune system, diet, and lifestyle is important for managing flare-ups effectively.
1. Typhoid fever in winter: Typhoid fever is caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacterium, which grows in contaminated food and water. During winter, the risk of typhoid can increase, specifically if you are travelling or consuming foods that are not properly stored. Also, winter’s cold air can affect your immune system, making it harder to fight off infections.
2. Colitis flare-up in winter: Colitis, an inflammation of the colon, often worsens in the colder months. For many people, colitis flare-ups can be triggered by freezing temperatures, stress, and even certain winter foods. Cold weather can reduce your body's ability to handle stress, a common trigger for colitis. Moreover, comfort foods like heavy, fatty dishes, common in winter diets, can also irritate the colon, leading to flare-ups.
Both conditions require you to be proactive and strategic in managing symptoms during winter, ensuring you stay healthy through the cold season.
5 effective strategies to manage typhoid and colitis flare-ups during winter
Now that we know winter’s impact on typhoid and colitis, here are five key strategies that will help you keep flare-ups under control and your immune system strong.
Strategy | Action plan |
| Supercharge your immune system |
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| Maintain good hygiene |
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| Stay warm, stay smart |
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| Exercise gently |
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| Own your peace |
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A 2021 study found that eating street food in the past week more than doubled the risk of typhoid while treating household drinking water reduced the risk. The findings suggest that street food is a risk factor in crowded urban areas, and better sanitation and water treatment can help prevent the disease.
Which foods are good for treating typhoid and colitis flare-ups in winter?
A low-fibre diet is often recommended during recovery from typhoid and colitis, especially in winter when the digestive system may be more sensitive.
Here’s a list of the best foods to eat during colitis flare-ups and a winter diet for typhoid patients, providing nourishment and comfort while supporting recovery.
Food | Why It's Good for Typhoid and Colitis During Winter | Additional Benefits |
| Clear broths and soups |
| Keeps you hydrated and offers comfort, which is especially important during winter for those with compromised digestion. |
Boiled veggies (You can try carrots, spinach, bottled gourd, and pumpkin) |
| Helps strengthen the immune system and provides antioxidants for reducing inflammation and improving digestion. |
| Plain rice or porridge |
| Provides a steady supply of carbohydrates for energy, helping to prevent strain on the digestive system. |
| Steamed fish or chicken |
| Offers essential amino acids for immune support, growth, and recovery without being harsh on the stomach. |
| Bananas | High in potassium, they help replace lost electrolytes due to fever and diarrhoea while being easy on the stomach. | Helps restore electrolyte balance and prevent muscle weakness while offering digestive comfort. It also contains melatonin, which helps improve sleep quality. |
| Dahi (Yogurt) |
| Supports the restoration of beneficial bacteria in the gut, improving digestion and reducing bloating. |
| Warm herbal teas (ginger or Adrak Chai) | Provides soothing warmth that helps with digestion, reduces nausea, and supports immune function during the colder months. | Boosts immunity, eases digestive discomfort, and has anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial for both conditions. |
| Boiled Potatoes (Aloo) | A mild, starchy food that is easy to digest, providing necessary carbohydrates without irritating the digestive system. | Rich in vitamins and provides quick energy, supporting recovery while being gentle on the stomach. |
Also, read the 10 best Indian foods to try this winter
What should we not eat during typhoid and colitis flare-ups?
Here are some foods to avoid during typhoid and certain foods that can trigger the colitis flare-ups:
Foods to avoid | Why to avoid |
| Raw or undercooked food (meat, eggs) | It can contain harmful bacteria or irritate the gut. |
| Unpasteurised dairy products | It may contain harmful bacteria or trigger digestive issues. |
| Spicy and greasy foods | It can irritate the digestive tract and worsen symptoms. |
| High-fibre foods (raw vegetables, fruits) | It can be hard to digest and irritate the gut during flare-ups. |
| Caffeinated drinks and alcohol | It can dehydrate and irritate the digestive system. |
| Fatty or fried foods | Difficult to digest and can worsen inflammation. |
What are the new treatment options for typhoid and colitis flare-ups?
New treatment options for typhoid fever treatments and typhoid treatment medicine focus on improving symptom management and reducing inflammation. Some emerging treatments include:
1. Typhoid:
- New antibiotics: With the rise of antibiotic resistance, new antibiotics like ceftriaxone and Meropenem are being explored to treat multi-drug-resistant (MDR) typhoid.
- Vaccine advancements: Newer typhoid vaccines like Typbar-TCV offer longer-lasting protection against typhoid fever.
- Nanotechnology: Research is looking into nanomedicines for targeted drug delivery to combat resistant strains of Salmonella Typhi.
2. Colitis:
- Biologics: Advanced biologic therapies such as anti-TNFα agents (e.g., infliximab, adalimumab) help reduce inflammation in conditions like ulcerative colitis.
- JAK inhibitors: Medications like tofacitinib and upadacitinib are new treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including colitis, that target the JAK-STAT pathway.
- Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT): This experimental therapy involves transplanting stool from a healthy donor to restore gut flora balance and improve colitis symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the warning signs of typhoid?
The warning signs of typhoid include prolonged fever, weakness, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and sometimes diarrhoea or constipation. Headaches and a rash may also occur. Consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms.
2. Which organ is affected by typhoid?
Typhoid primarily affects the intestines, causing inflammation in the small intestine. It can also impact other organs, such as the liver and spleen if left untreated. Consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
3. What is the fastest treatment for typhoid?
There is no "fast" treatment for typhoid, but antibiotics like ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone are effective. Early diagnosis and proper antibiotic use can reduce symptoms, and completing the full course is essential. Supportive care, including hydration and fever management, is also important.
4. What not to eat in typhoid?
In typhoid, avoid eating raw or undercooked foods, especially meat, eggs, and seafood, as they may contain harmful bacteria. Steer clear of spicy, greasy, or fried foods that can irritate the digestive system. Also, refrain from consuming unpasteurised dairy products and street food, as they may carry bacteria that worsen the condition.
5. How to prevent typhoid in winter?
To prevent typhoid in winter, ensure proper handwashing with soap and clean water, especially before eating or preparing food. Drink only clean, boiled or bottled water, and avoid consuming raw or undercooked food. Also, get vaccinated against typhoid if recommended by a doctor.
6. Will typhoid spread from one person to another?
Yes, typhoid can spread from one person to another through contaminated food, water, or close contact with an infected person's bodily fluids.
7. how do you calm a colitis flare-up
To calm a colitis flare-up, focus on eating a low-fibre diet, staying hydrated, and avoiding foods that irritate the digestive system. It's important to follow your doctor's treatment plan, which may include medication to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.
8. What triggers colitis attacks?
Colitis attacks can be triggered by stress, certain foods (like spicy or high-fat foods), infections, or changes in medication. Other factors like lack of sleep or smoking may also contribute to flare-ups.
Wrapping up
Managing typhoid and colitis flare-ups during winter requires strengthening the immune system, maintaining hygiene, staying warm, and managing stress. A winter care for colitis patient's diet focuses on easily digestible foods to support healing while managing colitis during winter can help reduce flare-ups.
For typhoid, hydration, safe foods, and proper treatment are crucial for recovery. Avoid street foods that lack hygiene and ensure clean surroundings with uncontaminated water to prevent infections.
References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557513/
2. https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/diseases/typhoid
3. Saad NJ, Lynch VD, Antillón M, Yang C, Crump JA, Pitzer VE. Seasonal dynamics of typhoid and paratyphoid fever.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5932015/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459282/
5. Lewis JD, Aberra FN, Lichtenstein GR, Bilker WB, Brensinger C, Strom BL. Seasonal variation in flares of inflammatory bowel disease.
