Hospitals see 30% rise in patients; kids & elders hit

New Delhi: Poor quality air in Delhi and NCR has led to 30% increase in patients coming to hospitals with sore throat, watery eyes, choking and exacerbation of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Doctors say children and the elderly are worst affected.

“At present, the rush is limited mainly to OPDs. Few are requiring admission. But if the air quality remains poor for a longer period, I fear, indoor admissions may also go up,” said Dr S K Chhabra, the head of pulmonary medicine at Primus Super Specialty hospital.

Since children breathe more every minute than adults, they take in a proportionately greater volume of air, thus increasing their vulnerability.

“We are getting many young children with cold, cough, sore throat and loss of appetite. Parents are worried how would they send them to school if the air quality remains like this,” Dr Anupam Sibal, paediatrician and group medical director of Indraprastha Apollo hospital, said.

He added that general advice for parents is to limit outdoor activities for children, especially those with pre-existing respiratory health issues. “If they must go out, children should be asked to wear masks,” Dr Sibal said.

Niharika Verma, a resident of Mayur Vihar Phase-I, said her 10-year-old daughter has been put on high dosage of inhalers because her asthma symptoms exacerbated on Sunday. “With each passing year, the air quality in Delhi is getting worse. I do not know how will we raise our children in such a city,” she said.

According to Dr Rommel Tickoo, senior consultant, internal medicine, morning walks should be strictly avoided until air quality improves.

“Air pollution can also damage cells in the respiratory system, and cause diseases such as bronchitis, emphysema, and even cancer,” said Dr Vikas Maurya, head of the department of pulmonology and sleep disorder at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.

Schools should avoid outdoor assemblies, sports activities and other physical activities in the early morning hours, advise doctors.

“We are getting many heart patients suffering from chest infection and respiratory symptoms over the past few days. Most of them are elderly people who haven’t ventured out since the air quality worsened,” Dr Ashok Seth, chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, said.

Long-term exposure to polluted air can also cause stroke. “The particulate matters can enter the vascular system and act as a trigger for stroke in persons who are already at risk of the disease. Research shows that long-term exposure to pollutants such as the fine particulate matters leads to damage of the inner linings of brain cells leading to stroke,” said Dr Kameshwar Prasad, professor, department of neurology at AIIMS.