This is why Mumbai's people fall ill easily

Every winter, you have a blocked nose, your colleague has an ache in her throat, your partner can't utter two words without a cough, your parents can't stop sneezing – "The flu is here," everyone is quick to explain.

These are only some of the complaints this season. Other symptoms include common cold and cough, nasal, throat and other upper respiratory infections. "Arthritic knees and low back aches also tend to send nasty reminders every morning. It's well known that pain due to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or spondyliosis gets worse as the mercury drops," says Dr Manan Gujarathi, an orthopaedic surgeon at SRV Mamata Hospital in Dombivali.

Wide variations in temperatures throughout the day are to be blamed for your increasing sick leaves. Dr Paritosh Baghel, Consultant Physician and Specialist-Internal Medicine SL Raheja Hospital explains how poor air quality directly affects your health, especially if you are already allergic. said Since most infections are viral in nature, transmission of the infection is air-borne as viruses get an easy foothold in nasal and throat cavities," he says. In the last two weeks, Dr Baghel has consulted 7-8 patients with symptoms of cold and flu.

The deteriorating air quality is another cause of concern. The beginning of December saw the city slipping into 'very poor' category. "In the northern and western regions, the temperature has witnessed a sudden drop giving rise to a cold wave-like situation which has impacted the air quality as the boundary layer comes down due to the cold," Gufran Beig, program director, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, had reportedly said.

Just last week, air quality index in Mumbai was registered at 267 with Mazgaon and suburban areas of Borivali, Malad, Andheri, and Bandra-Kurla Complex exhibiting 'very poor' readings of PM (particulate matter) 2.5 level.

"The shift from the October heat, air pollution, humidity and residual particulate matter suspended in air post-Diwali are some of the causes of individuals getting ill", says Dr Madhukar Gaikwad, Medical Superintendent at St. George Hospital in Mumbai, who has consulted 30-35 patients per day since early November.

"Considering the widespread deterioration of air quality, make sure your morning walks are not along polluted zones but closer to nature e.g. national parks and nature trails. If such places are too far, you can just prefer places closer to nature with abundant tree cover and fresh air," says Dr Gujarathi.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THEN CURE

• Dr Gujarathi lists, "Maintain healthy intake of fruits to get your dose of Vitamin C and B complex to boost your immunity. Nuts and dry fruits such as almonds and walnuts can provide both protein and fatty acids. Seafood and cod liver oil are good choices in non-vegetarian diets."
   
• Dr Baghel recommends covering the nose and mouth when coughing and/or sneezing and also recommends staring home since going out could lead to aggravation of the condition. At the same time, Dr Ghule suggests using anti-pollution face masks to prevent catching and transmission of infection altogether. If you continue experiencing dryness in your throat and nose, Dr Gaikwad suggests steam inhalation.