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Children and elderly are the most vulnerable. Experts told News18 that they have been witnessing an increase in the need for nebulization and other respiratory medicines have increased in the last few days.
According to weather experts, a thick haze has settled over the city, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging from 250 to 290, indicating ‘poor’ air quality that may cause breathing discomfort. (Image: PTI File)
It’s that time of year again when hospital outpatient departments begin to see an increase in patients experiencing breathing problems and asthma attacks in areas across Delhi-NCR. It is the season when air quality worsens, often hitting its lowest points.
According to weather experts, a thick haze has settled over the city, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging from 250 to 290, indicating ‘poor’ air quality that may cause breathing discomfort. The main pollutant is PM 10, primarily from dust, while PM 2.5 levels from vehicles and stubble burning are also rising.
What’s more concerning is that the AQI in the national capital is expected to worsen this week. Doctors have already started witnessing the rush of patients. “In the last week, several patients with a history of respiratory illness like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are coming with increased breathing difficulty, wheezing and chest tightness,” Dr Satya Ranjan Sahu, senior consultant, pulmonology at Gurugram-based Narayana Hospital.
“There have been 2-3 patients daily with new onset respiratory symptoms in OPD,” he said.
Dr Navneet Sood, clinical lead, pulmonology at Delhi-based Dharamshila Narayana Hospital has seen 25-30 patients in the last week coming with asthma-like symptoms.
“The health risks of ignoring air pollution are far-reaching, and we need both immediate precautions and long-term strategies to safeguard public health,” he advised.
Not only asthmatics but healthy people also falling ill
Not only old patients, Sahu from NH said that due to poor air quality, “healthy patients are also coming to the hospital with complaints of itching in eyes and dry cough with nasal symptoms and throat irritation.”
Similar observations have been made by other doctors. “People who never had any history of breathing disorders are coming with cough and asthma-like symptoms,” Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, director, pulmonology at Fortis Escorts in Faridabad.
Who is most affected?
Children and elderly are the most vulnerable. Experts told News18 that they have been witnessing an increase in the need for nebulisation and other respiratory medicines have increased in the last few days.
Sood from Dharamshila Narayana Hospital also noticed that vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing conditions like asthma, COPD, or heart disease need to be especially cautious.
Polluted air is known to aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, potentially leading to severe complications.
“Things are not looking too good for people in and around Delhi NCR in the days to come concerning respiratory symptoms,” Sahu from Narayan Health warned.
According to Dr Maninder Dhaliwal, an expert in paediatric pulmonology at NCR-based Amrita Hospital, he has been seeing many children with respiratory issues in his outpatient department (OPD), in-patient department (IPD) and intensive care unit (ICU), it can’t only be attributed to pollution. “Other factors contributing to these can be changes in season, changes in allergens (pollens), more viral infections, and cold dry air, which is typical in the winter season,” he said.
Dhaliwal shared his experience saying, “Whenever winter rolls in, so will the sniffles and wheezes for kids in smog-filled cities like Delhi. It’s now a routine unwelcome seasonal guest in cities bringing with it persistent coughs, more wheezing, runny noses, and a free pass to more asthma attacks. This is a classic winter air pollution package, which sadly no one ordered, but is now a way of life.”
Tips to survive air pollution
It is important that the public take preventive measures, such as wearing masks outdoors, using air purifiers indoors, and avoiding physical exertion during periods of high pollution.
Jha from Fortis suggests that the public must recognise early symptoms and seek medical attention if breathing problems worsen. In the short term, it is recommended limiting outdoor activities, particularly during peak pollution hours, typically in the early morning and evening. Wearing an N95 mask when stepping out can provide some protection against particulate matter.
“For those with respiratory conditions, it’s crucial to keep inhalers and other medications handy. Using air purifiers at home and keeping windows closed during high pollution days can help improve indoor air quality,” Sood suggested.
During this season, one should also pay close attention to diet and hydration. Consuming antioxidant-rich foods such as fruits and green vegetables helps combat the oxidative stress caused by pollution. Staying well-hydrated is equally important, as water helps in clearing toxins from the body.
