Written by: Express News Service
2 min readMumbaiJun 8, 2010 12:37 AM IST
First published on: Jun 8, 2010 at 12:37 AM IST
Last week’s dust haze has resulted in an increase in the number of patients queuing up at city hospitals with respiratory ailments.
Even though respiratory problems are generally aggravated at this time of the year,construction activities across the city seem to have worsened the situation this year,said Dr Rajesh Pande,senior consultant,Critical Care and Respiratory medicine,Dr B L Kapur Memorial Hospital. “Between April and June,we usually don’t see these many patients coming in for asthma or other respiratory ailments. But this time around there has been a high number of dust-related allergies,asthma and other respiratory ailments that get aggravated due to too much dust contact,” he said. “Upper respiratory disorders and allergies are very common in this weather,but persistent dust cover is making things difficult for asthmatics,” he added.
According to experts,the best way to manage existing respiratory ailments is to stay indoors. “We recommend that patients stay indoors especially early mornings and late evenings. If it is unavoidable then the patient must cover his or her mouth with a handkerchief and carry an inhaler while stepping out of the house,” said Dr Rajesh Chawla,senior consultant,Respiratory Medicine,Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.
Young adults and senior citizens are vulnerable to sudden changes in temperature and dust storms act as triggers,causing asthma attacks.
“The best way to prevent asthma and allergy is to avoid the specific triggers and allergen that cause the problems,” said Dr Puneet Khanna of the Dr B L Kapur Memorial Hospital.
PRECAUTIONS FOR ASTHMATICS
* While stepping out cover nose and mouth with a wet cloth
* Avoid going out early morning and late evening
* Wash eyes regularly
* Carry an inhaler
* Avoid sudden changes in temperature
* Keep doors and windows closed
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