The post-monsoon haze over the city for the past one week has led to a spurt in ailments related to the respiratory tract and viral infections, according to doctors.
The post-monsoon haze over the city for the past one week has led to a spurt in ailments related to the respiratory tract and viral infections, according to doctors. Hair and skin problems are also on the rise due to change in weather where there is a nip in the early morning air.
Doctors said up to 30 patients every day complained of cold and cough, inflammation of the nose, bronchitis and allergic rhinitis. With increase in levels of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM), cases of sneezing, coughing and cold had suddenly shot up.
Dr Shahid Bharmare (MD) Medicines, Asian Heart Hospital, told The Asian Age, “There are dust particles in the air. If they are small, they usually get filtered but if they are big enough, they can cause lung ailments such as bronchitis and allergic rhinitis and skin and hair problems too. Children and those already suffering from chronic respiratory problems such as asthma or bronchitis are more at risk. Every day, we get at least 25 such cases.”
Dr Rajesh Valand, ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) specialist at Andheri-based Brahma Kumaris Global Hospital & Research Centre, told this newspaper, “The fluctuation in temperature causes congestion and viral infections in the body, which is under stress, and the heart pumps faster, increasing blood pressure. The most common thing people complain about is bronchitis, a respiratory disease caused by inflammation in the bronchial tubes that bring air to and from your lungs.”
Dr Dilip Patil, general physician, Sai Clinic, Wadala, said, “There are 25 people walking in every day with complaints including body ache, nasal congestion, fever, stomach ache and skin rashes. People with low immunity and eating roadside junk food are typically affected.”
Meanwhile, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said, “Currently, there is moisture in the air which may be the prime reason for causing the haze. If the winds were stronger, it would have dispersed. But mild winds have let it stay for many days.”
Prashant Pednekar (42), a businessman from Wadala, complained of sore throat, body ache, fever, severe cough and was down for a week with viral. “I had fever and was diagnosed with viral infection. I recovered after a week but weakness is still there,” he said.
