‘People with no breathing ailments affected’

GURUGRAM:

Hospitals

in the city have seen a rise in the number of patients coming in daily complaining about pollution-related

ailments

.

Doctors

predict that the numbers will rise if the pollution levels are not brought under control at the earliest.


Among the problems that the patients are reporting, ever since the pollution levels have risen, are headache, coughing, shortness of breath, eyes burning, wheezing and chest congestion.

Sources at the Civil hospital told TOI that at least 50 patients come to the hospital every day with

breathing

problem, which includes asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Dr Kajal Kumud, department of medicine in Civil hospital, said that there hadn’t been a hike in the number of patients due to the rise in pollution levels, as the inflow of patients with

respiratory

issues is consistent throughout the year.

However, Dr Swapnil Mehta, pulmonology consultant at the Narayana hospital, said that he has witnessed a 50% rise in number of patients in the last few days. “Patients who have had no history of respiratory problem have started facing the issue. One of my patients has had three episodes of chronic respiratory ailment since October and all three are directly related with pollution. Several patients complain of expectoration, wheezing, and chest congestion,” Mehta said.

“The pollution levels have turned dangerous. It’s almost feels like walking into a gas chamber. Prolonged outdoor exposure can lead to allergic bronchitis,” said Dr Arunesh Kumar, pulmonologist at Paras hospital, Gurugram.

Sounding an health alert, doctors have advised people to avoid longer duration outdoor activities and to use N95 masks. “Children, pregnant women and elderly should take special care and exercises like jogging should be avoided in the morning,” Dr Mehta said.