Docs suggest preventive measures to fight side effects of smog

Ludhiana: With the rising levels of smog that is causing breathing problems to residents, doctors have suggested some measures to avoid getting affected by side effects of smog. Doctors believe wearing the N95 mask or surgical mask can be the second best preventive measure while avoiding going outdoors is the best option.

Dr Anil Kashyap, Pulmonologist, DMC hospital said, “Smog is definitely not good for health if exposed for long time. Not only does it have short term effect on asthma patients, but a normal person can develop respiratory distress due to smog.” Incidentally, around 30-35 patients suffering from the side effects of smog, visited the DMC Hospital on Tuesday afternoon though there was no report of any emergency case.

He further added, “Children and aged people should specifically stay indoors when the level of smog is high as they can develop respiratory problems and even their eyes can get affected.

While Dr Ashok Gupta, Pulmonologist from CMC hospital said, “ In the CMC hospital, nearly 25 patients visited the OPD and out of them 3 were admitted who were considered as emergency patients. Many patients ignore the symptoms of respiratory distress they face due to smog taking it as short term problem. There were no patient for the regular checkup and only patients suffering due to smog visited OPD for treatment.”

Patients who are at high risk are asthma patients, heart patients, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) children and aged people. If someone is exposed to smog for a long time the long term effect can also cause cancer.

Patients in emergency were treated with nebulizers and some were given oxygen if they faced breathlessness.

Birinder Kaur, a resident from Sarabha Nagar said, “My son has Asthma and during such days he finds it difficult to breathe also. He avoids going out and in case he has to go, he prefers wearing a mask.


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