Delhi's poor air quality spikes respiratory, cardiac problems: Doctors

Even as the national Capitalrsquos air quality continues to dip doctors on Thursday reported a rise in respiratory and cardiac issuesAs per data by the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB Delhis overall Air Quality Index AQI showed no sign of improvement as it was recorded at 294 on Thursday at 9 am The AQI was 341 on Wednesday and 342 a day earlierldquoWe have noticed a significant increase in the number of patients seeking medical attention for various health issues ranging from respiratory problems to cardiac conditions Many individuals are experiencing worsened symptoms of respiratory ailments such as asthma persistent cough colds and viral infections including cases of H1N1rdquo Dr Sushila Kataria Senior Director Internal Medicine Medanta Gurugram told IANSldquoThe primary contributing factor to these health issues is the presence of smog which directly irritates the lungs and throat particularly affecting those with preexisting respiratory conditionsrdquo she explainedA recent analysis done by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air CREA showed that Delhi was ranked first on the list of the countrys most polluted cities in JanuaryOf the 254 cities Delhis pollution levels were recorded at the highest with the average PM25 concentration at 206 micrograms per cubic metreThe city exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards NAAQS every day of the monthldquoIn the face of escalating air pollution especially evident in cities like Delhi the impact on respiratory health is significant People suffering from asthma as well as COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease both chronic respiratory ailments experience considerable aggravation due to air pollutants resulting in symptoms like shortness of breath and exacerbations Therefore taking precautionary measures becomes paramountrdquo said Dr Anshum Aneja Arora a Gurgugrambased pulmonologistDr Puneet Khanna HOD and Consultant Respiratory Medicine Manipal Hospital Dwarka told IANS that children are also getting mild respiratory tract infections and are also coming with lots of complaints of coughing sneezing and coldldquoThe major complaints are upper airway conditions nose blockage coughing wheezing breathlessness and a sore throat Sometimes it is accompanied by chest pain and fever but most of these symptoms are mild and selflimiting and usually they recover after three to five days of medicationrdquo he saidAccording to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi the air quality is likely to remain very poor from February 1517The outlook for subsequent six days from February 17 is that the air quality is likely to be poorDr Anshum said utilising masks to reduce inhalation of pollutants is a simple yet effective practiceThe doctor stressed on adequate hydration to counteract air pollutioninduced dehydration which can cause the lining of the airways and sinuses to become dry causing asthma symptoms or other symptoms like headache and nauseaThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever