Breathless in Delhi: How air pollution has held to spike in hospital visits

Delhi’s air quality has plummeted to alarming levels.

The toxic combo of winter and pollutants is now taking a toll on the health of Delhites.

Hospitals are witnessing about a 50 per cent surge in patient visits due to respiratory illnesses.

Here’s all we know about it.

What’s happening?

Due to Delhi's dramatic increase in air pollution levels over the past few weeks, hospitals in the National Capital are seeing a 40 to 50 per cent increase in patient visits for respiratory ailments, such as bronchitis symptoms and breathing difficulties.

According to Mayank Saxena, Additional Director, Pulmonology at Fortis Hospital in Noida, the number of admissions and visits to the outpatient department (OPD) has increased by about 50 per cent from the previous month.

“The reason for that can be attributed to the air quality index (AQI) reaching dangerous levels in the last 15-20 days,” he said.

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“Few patients are also showing symptoms of choking, breathlessness and wheezing, which are symptoms of acute bronchitis. Here, the patient may require admission and aggressive treatment, including nebulisation and intravenous (IV) antibiotics,” Saxena said, adding that pollutants entering a human body can cause numerous infections.

“We are seeing cases with burning sensation in eyes, watering of eyes and nasal discharges, skin irritation, sore throat, coughing and breathlessness,” he said.

Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Consultant, Pulmonology at CK Birla Hospital in Gurugram, told Business Standard that on Tuesday, he saw around 21 patients till 3 pm already, while his average OPD used to be around nine to 10 patients.

The vast majority of patients who arrive at OPD do not have a history of respiratory issues. They have nasal discharge, throat discomfort, and a chronic cough.

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The same is the case with government hospitals in the Capital, with Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital’s special pollution OPD, which has been operational since October 2023, witnessing increased footfalls. It has four departments to treat pollution-related illnesses: respiratory, dermatology, eye care, and psychiatry.

Although the clinic only operates on Mondays for two hours each week, administrators are thinking about extending its days and hours if patient volume increases.

“The drop in temperature combined with worsening air quality has driven more patients with similar symptoms to seek care,” said Dr Shrinjini Bhat, one of the attending physicians, told Hindustan Times, adding, “We are seeing rising footfall every week with patients complaining of watery eyes, itching, chest tightness and bronchitis."

Who are most affected?

According to media reports citing doctors, young men, children, and infants are most affected by the pollution side effects.

Young men in high-exposure outdoor roles, such as traffic police, rickshaw drivers, and street vendors, are reporting mild symptoms like rashes, eye irritation, or throat discomfort.

“These symptoms might seem trivial or be mistaken for seasonal issues, especially in communities where access to healthcare is limited. Social and logistical barriers could also make it harder for these groups to seek treatment,” Dr Suri told HT.

There’s also a rise of children and infants in hospital across Delhi-NCR, especially children below the age of two being most vulnerable. According to paediatricians, those with allergic tendencies are most affected and need oxygen as well as hospitalisation.

Children with asthma and other comorbid conditions make up the majority of the patient pool, although hospitals have been treating kids with no prior history of respiratory ailments.

These children arrive at hospital outpatient departments (OPDs) when their symptoms suddenly worsen.

According to News18 quoting Dr Dinesh Raj, paediatrician at Holy Family Hospital in Delhi, there is a noticeable increase in children coming into the hospital’s outpatient and inpatient.

“Younger ones, below two to three years, are more affected and some of them need hospitalisation. Overall, there is a 25-30 per cent increase in children coming to OPD with respiratory complaints when compared to October.”

“There are multiple studies and evidence that points out that air pollution can lead to mental and other illnesses such as eye and skin infection… A team of eight-10 doctors are handling the patients and we are prepared if there is also any surge in the number of patients to address their needs,” Dr Suri told HT.

Acute exacerbations are becoming increasingly common among patients with asthma and COPD, according to Dr Arjun Khanna, head of the pulmonary medicine department at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad.

“Many of these patients arrive at emergency departments in distress, struggling to breathe and requiring immediate medical intervention,” he added.

The 40-year-old Annu Sharma and her 42-year-old husband Gaurav had also come, wearing an N95 mask, for treatment for lingering winter illnesses.

The Janakpuri resident told Hindustan Times, “In the last 5-6 years, living here has become unbearable. Both my children — aged 14 and 18 — are suffering from constant sneezing and coughing. I wanted to check out the clinic and may bring them here soon.”

How bad is Delhi’s pollution?

On Wednesday, there was an urgent environmental emergency in several areas in Delhi, with the AQI rising to dangerous levels in several of them.

The AQI in Alipur was 490, Anand Lok: 504, Ashok Vihar Phase 1: 522, Ashok Vihar Phase 3: 634, Dwarka Sector 23: 390, GTB Nagar: 617.

On Tuesday, while Delhi recorded an AQI of 460, adjoining cities of Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Noida also crossed 350.

On Tuesday evening, Delhi Police conducted vehicle inspections to verify adherence to Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which attempts to reduce the city’s escalating air pollution.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is seeking to use artificial rain to bring some relief from the noxious pollution. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Centre asking for its nod to allow artificial rain in the region.

How does pollution affect health?

In a conversation with the Business Standard, Dr Arup Halder, a senior pulmonologist at CMRI Hospital, stated that pollutants enter the body through the lungs and impact different organs as the AQI worsens.

From minor irritations like headaches, nasal congestion, and skin issues to more serious illnesses, the initial symptoms can vary widely.

Chronic respiratory conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even lung cancer can be brought on by prolonged exposure to polluted air.

Moreover, the skin is not immune.

Air pollution exposure can cause dermatitis, eczema, and premature ageing of the skin.

Pollution is a possible risk factor for both liver damage and chronic renal disease, which can affect even internal organs like the kidneys and liver.

According to experts who spoke to News18, air pollution can cause kids cancer and asthma in addition to affecting neurodevelopment and cognitive function.

Additionally, they claimed that kids who are exposed to high amounts of air pollution may be more susceptible to chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disorders in the future.

“Children who have been exposed to high levels of air pollution may be at greater risk for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, later in life," Nagpal from Fortis said.

How can you protect yourself?

There are a number of steps you may take on your own to ensure that you and your family are reasonably safe. This includes avoiding going outside, purchasing a portable air purifier or cleaner, avoiding smoking, staying aware of the situation, and more.

However, the most urgent solution would be a significant shift in government policy.

With inputs from agencies