From visits to the emergency ward by the elderly due to breathing difficulties to a sudden spike in the number of patients affected by COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma, hospitals across Delhi are witnessing an increase in patients suffering from respiratory illnesses. According to doctors, while such patients had been coming to hospitals before Diwali, the numbers at the outpatient department (OPD) and Emergency have increased in the last four to five days. Dr Rajesh Chawla, senior consultant, pulmonology and critical care, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said he is treating patients suffering from severe cough. “Patients already suffering from respiratory illnesses are taking longer to recover — mostly the elderly and the young.” He added that patients are now showing up with new symptoms: “Even patients with only cough and cold are requiring bronchodilators, which are needed by asthmatic patients.” Apollo Hospital’s Emergency is witnessing an increase in the number of patients in the 55-60 and above age group with underlying lung issues. Dr Nikhil Modi, senior pulmonologist, said along with the elderly, children with existing respiratory issues are the worst affected. “They are mainly complaining of breathing difficulty, cough and chest congestion. Symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itching are also being reported,” he added. He further said on average, he is seeing 15 to 20 patients every day with acute breathing issues. Dr Vikas Maurya, Director and Head of Department, Pulmonology, at Fortis Hospital, said many are being admitted to the ICU too: “Patients have symptoms of persistent cough, bronchitis. more and more people are coming with lower respiratory issues such as pneumonia. requiring hospitalisation and treatment in the ICU.” Dr Maurya said both change in weather and rising pollution levels are responsible for the surge in the number of patients. “Patients are requiring the use of bronchodilators, antibiotics, and anti-allergics. severe patients are requiring oral systemic steroids apart from inhaler steroids.” RML Hospital, which recently launched a new OPD for pollution-related cases, saw 20 patients with symptoms of breathlessness and eye irritation Monday. Dr Amit Suri, head of the Department, Respiratory Medicine, at the hospital — who is also looking after the pollution-related illness OPD — said there is a surge in the number of patients in regular OPDs as well. “Due to lack of awareness about the dedicated OPD, most patients have been going to the pulmonology and ophthalmology OPD. There, we have seen a 10-15% surge in patients in the last two days,” he added.
