Pollution worsens health as AIIMS doctors raise patients’ medicine doses
CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News / Agencies, Bhopal:
The impact of rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR is now clearly visible on people’s health. Toxic air has increased the difficulties of patients suffering from respiratory diseases. The situation is such that at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, the dosage of medicines for several patients has had to be increased. People who previously had no breathing-related problems are also arriving for treatment.
According to Dr. Saurabh Mittal, assistant professor in the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at AIIMS, the symptoms of patients suffering from asthma and other chronic respiratory illnesses are becoming more severe as pollution rises. The inhaler dosage of many patients has had to be increased, while some are also being given additional medicines. In serious cases, patients need to be given oral steroids because their problems are not being controlled with normal medicines.
Doctors say the impact of pollution is not limited only to people who are already ill. People considered healthy are also reaching hospitals with complaints such as cough, throat irritation, nasal discomfort and breathlessness. Such patients are also being given treatment and relief medicines according to their symptoms.
Experts say that during winter, lower wind speed and increased moisture allow pollutants to remain in the atmosphere for longer periods. Vehicle smoke, dust from construction work and smoke from stubble burning also increase pollution.
Doctors have appealed to people to avoid exposure to pollution and to seek medical advice if they experience respiratory problems.
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