Put that breathing mask on.
Come Diwali and pollution tends to become severe with deteriorating air quality. This inevitably leads to breathing difficulties, especially in those suffering from asthma and other respiratory disorders such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and allergic rhinitis. This is also the time of the year, when doctors across the country observe a spike in respiratory cases due to a combination of factors such as changing weather patterns, increase in allergens, the onset of winter, smog and worsening air pollution.
Fire crackers burst during Diwali release pollutants like sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, manganese and even cadmium. This irritates the bronchial mucosa case the inner lining of the respiratory tract to swell, which leads to spasms and triggers asthma attacks.
Dr Indu Bubna, pulmonologist at SRV Hospital in suburban Mumbai says that in 2015 during Diwali, the hospital witnessed nearly one in three patients coming in with complaints of cough, wheezing and breathlessness as a result of fire cracker emissions.
The run up to Diwali usually involves house cleaning. Asthma patients, however, should avoid this since it entails dusting, which can exacerbate their condition. If essential to clean, then use a wet mop or vacuum clean. Also, asthma patients can do well by keeping a mask handy during these days.
Dr Bubna says that the best way to deal with the pollution at this time of the year is to move out of the city for few days to places where pollution levels are low. If this is not feasible, she suggests shutting home windows for the period when crackers are being burst outside.
And while food may seem like an unlikely factor, it plays a big role in controlling asthma. Typically oily food or ghee-laden sweets are high in fat, and can worsen the condition. Hence it is important to have a nutritious diet of home-cooked meals, fresh fruits and vegetables. Asthmatics should also stay away from alcohol as it can increase the risk of perennial allergic rhinitis.
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