POISON IN THE AIR

Prolonged exposure to severe air pollution levels, which the national capital is currently beset with, not only lead to a spike in respiratory diseases but can actually lead to changes in the human body at the cellular level, as per medical experts, writes Ashish Srivastava

- Ashish Srivastava

THE national capital is grappling with a massive health crisis linked to escalating pollution levels. The city has been consistently making headlines as one of the most polluted cities in the world, with air quality often reaching hazardous levels.

Hospitals across the city are overwhelmed with patients whose chronic respiratory conditions like bronchitis, asthma etc have exacerbated. A sharp rise is being seen in patients seeking treatment for pollution-related health issues.

Dr Anant Mohan, head of the department of pulmonology at AIIMS, said there is a significant increase in patients who are coming with worsening symptoms of their heart and lung-related illnesses.

"Besides, those who don't have such issues are coming with upper and lower respiratory tract problems.

Much of it can probably be attributed to the current environment," he added.

While the OPDs are filled with patients of upper respiratory tract issues, the wards and ICU are filled with patients of lower respiratory tract illness.

In many hospitals, up to 50 per cent of the beds in ICUS and wards are occupied with patients who are suffering from respiratory diseases.

However, this season, patients with no history of such diseases are also turning towards the health centers with severe symptoms and eventually being diagnosed with pneumonia and acute bronchitis.

Hospitals are also noting an increased influx of patients suffering from COPD, asthma-like symptoms, chest congestion and other issues. A large chunk of them are requiring hospitalisation.

Doctors are attributing this trend to the hazardous rise in pollution.