Polluted air weighs down Delhi

The Times of India , Friday, May 09, 2014
Correspondent : TNN
NEW DELHI: Rising air pollution has made ailments like asthma, allergy, recurrent cough and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease a part of life in Delhi. Geetanjali Sharma, who came to Delhi for a job 10 years ago, says she gets allergies at every change of season. "My eyes itch. Ever since I moved here, I have had a persistent cough which was diagnosed as a consequence of air pollution. Other than covering my nose and mouth, there is really nothing else I can do."

Doctors advise patients with recurring allergic symptoms and infections to spend time uphill or in places that are less polluted. "We often come across patients suffering from respiratory illnesses whose symptoms do not improve even with steroids and inhalers. Sometimes, they go abroad and find that the symptoms reduce significantly," said Dr Arup Basu, chest specialist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Children are the hardest hit by pollution. Rakhi Mukhuty's three-year-old daughter has a severe allergic cough. "I spend sleepless nights just tending to her as she has frequent coughing bouts. Doctors want us to shield her from polluted air, but that is not possible in Delhi," she says.

Dr Sanjeev Bagai, senior pediatrician and chairman of Nephron Clinic, said, "Newborns and infants are at greater risk because they have limited lung capacity. We often have to prescribe prophylactic inhalers and face masks to control their symptoms. Wheezing, bronchitis and asthma are some of the commonest health problems and these have increased by 40% in the past five years".

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Polluted-air-weighs-down-Delhi/articleshow/34844450.cms?
 


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