 "Delhi chokes in polluted air; doctors recommend mandatory wearing of masks, staying indoors")
With air pollution in Delhi-NCR rising again since last week, choking people, doctors and health experts have been recommending people to wear mask and stay indoors. People experiencing difficulty in breathing have been advised to consult a doctor. Delhi’s air quality index, or AQI, still remains ‘severe’ at 411. “The current AQI of Delhi-NCR is not favourable. In such a situation, it is advisable to use a mask and stay at home whenever necessary,” said says Dr. Suresh Kumar, Medical Director at LNGP Hospital, who said the hospital has been receiving 25-30 patients coming to the emergency department daily complaining of breathlessness, sore throat, wheezing, cough, irritation in the eyes, restlessness.
Former AIIMS Director and Senior Pulmonologist Dr. Randeep Guleria also has advised people to stay indoors and should us mask if stepping out of house. “High-risk groups like women and children, and the people with co-morbidities, chronic respiratory problem, heart problem, low immunity, such people need to be extra cautious. They should remain indoors and not leave the house… They should use a mask if going out is necessary… They should leave the house during the day because, in the Sun, the ground level pollution is comparatively low because the pollutants rise because of the heat,” Dr. Guleria said. ‘Air purifiers not as effective’ “Senior citizens are advised to not go for morning walks in the early morning or late evening… Air purifiers are not as effective… They may not be very beneficial… Air Purifier may be a temporary solution,” Dr. Guleria said. Dr. Kumar has also asked people of Delhi-NCR to avoid going for morning and evening walks, as they may cause eye irritation and a sore throat. “If you experience difficulty in breathing, consult a doctor,” he added.
ICU admission increasing Dr. Guleria also said the number of patients has increased from 15-20 per cent. “This increase is indirectly related to air pollution. This is a chronic respiratory issue that we see every year. And this time every year, admission in the hospitals increases,” he added.
“Respiratory problems may increase in people with diseases like bronchitis or those with heart problems…resulting in decreased oxygen saturation and increased emergency visits. In OPD too, more patients with a complaint of breathing are coming. Hospitalisation, ICU admissions and OPD referrals are increasing in patients and also in those people who are normal and have no disease. People who don’t have any disease related to respiration are also facing such problems… They are complaining of teary eyes also,” Dr. Guleria said.
Delhi smog: What precaution to take? Dr. Guleria recommends that high-risk groups like women and children, and people with co-morbidities, chronic respiratory problem, heart problem, low immunity need to be extra cautious. “They should remain indoors and not leave the house. They should use a mask if going out is necessary. They should leave the house during the day because, in the Sun, the ground level pollution is comparatively low because the pollutants rise because of the heat.”
“Senior citizens are advised to not go for morning walks in the early morning or late evening,” Dr. Guleria said. With inputs from agencies