With the onset of winters, poor air quality will make the matter worse with the cases of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma increasing and the air pollution resulting from Diwali would be the final nail in the coffin. Keeping looming virus, Dengue, skin health and nutrition in mind, SUPRIYA RAMESH speaks with experts on how to be safe this season
With Diwali around the corner, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has deteriorated to 353. Currently, Delhi has 13 pollution hot spots including Rohini, Okhla Phase-2, Punjabi Bagh, Vivek Vihar, Wazirpur, Jahangirpuri, RK Puram, and Narela; these were identified by the Central Pollution Control Board in 2018.
The other locations which feature regularly on the top five most polluted hot spots include Nehru Nagar, Mundka, Shadipur and Dilshad Garden.
With the existing poor air quality, the onset of winters have started making the matter worse with the cases of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma on rise.
Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder and Director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals tells us that the air pollution resulting from Diwali would be the final nail in the coffin because the festival of light marks the last day of harvest, thereby paving the way for highly-polluted stubble burning in the Northern states.
On top of that the bursting of unregulated firecrackers release huge quantities of toxic chemicals into the air. Dr Bajaj syas, “Health experts have warned people against the bad air quality and said exposure to every slight increase in air pollutants is associated with a substantial increase in the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma.
In the past too, we have seen how the harmful particulate matter present in the air exacerbates outcomes for those who do have COPD, lung cancer and asthma. They also increase one’s risk of developing these diseases if exposed to such bad air quality for a longer period of time.
“Last year, doctors had witnessed many fresh cases of respiratory disorders and NCDs in their OPDs. When there is also a pandemic, we need to act on multiple fronts to get hold of the situation. This is the high time that we should look for sustainable solutions for controlling air pollution as it has been causing considerable deterioration of the vital organs,” says Dr Bajaj.
He shares some of the pertinent health issues due to air pollution during Diwali:
Asthma and Pulmonological Problems:
Pollutants can cause eye irritation, headaches, pulmonary emphysema, chest and throat blockages, coughs, colds and respiratory allergies are more likely to cause problems in people suffering from asthma. Other problems include bronchial asthma, eye infections, allergic bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), allergic rhinitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, pneumonia and the common cold. If you are a patient of asthma, do not light firecrackers. Use a mask or cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel to avoid toxic air.
Cardiovascular issues:
High decibel noise and polluted air during Diwali can bother people with existing heart conditions and high blood pressure. This can further lead to sleep disturbances, and other complications. A sudden loud noise can cause temporary or permanent deafness or even a heart attack. Use earbuds, cotton, or noise-cancelling headphones to reduce cracker noise.
Mental health problems
When it comes to mental health issues, loud Diwali celebrations and polluted air can affect the normal functioning of the brain and result in restlessness, impulsive behaviour, anger, extravagance and overreacting to any situation. It especially occurs in young children, pregnant women, heart patients and people suffering from respiratory problems. In severe cases, people may experience nausea and a temporary state of mind.
Air pollution can lead to DNA mutation:
Air pollution does not only cause considerable deterioration of the vital organs but also damage on the cellular level. Breathing in highly polluted air on a regular basis, or long term exposure can compromise cellular composition, which in turn leads to DNA mutations. Any level of cellular damage can cause organ damage and compromise the body's immune response leading to viral multiplication. Those with organ damage and compromised response are at a higher risk for COVID severity. Various studies have suggested that air pollution can lead to endothelial damage, inflammation, which in turn can lead to clogged arteries and heightened cardiovascular risk. Hypertension, which is one factor which poses risk to cardio health, is bad for COVID. Hypertensive patients tend to be low on some form of receptors in the body, known as ACE2, which coronavirus spike proteins interact with and attack the body.
C for Skin
Keeping one’s skin healthy and hydrated is as important. With the festival season upon us, outings are frequent. With so much on our plates, from cleaning our house to moving out for shopping, it is obvious that our skin will come in contact with a lot of dust and pollution but at the same time it is important to keep a check on your skin and take care of it.
By including Vitamin C, an antioxidant, in your diet, applying it on your skin directly or consuming it in the form of a capsule can help keep your skin healthy and blooming.
“Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help us fight the devastating effects of pollution. It can rid our bodies of free radicals that cause our cells to age more rapidly. It can also help us breathe easier,” says Dr Karuna Malhotra, Cosmetologist and Homeopath Physician, Cosmetic Skin and Homeo Clinic, Rajouri Garden.
Natural sources for Vitamin C are available in plenty, especially in a diet full of fresh foods and nutrient rich fruits and vegetables. If you’re looking for the best sources of Vitamin C, oranges, pineapples, guavas, papayas, strawberries, amla (gooseberry) are all ideal choices.
“I highly recommend that you make a paste of amla and add it to a litre of drinking water. Sip on this throughout the day.” Dr Malhotra adds.
Vitamin C is also found in vegetables, stock up on capsicum, kale (a kind of spinach), broccoli, chilli peppers, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts. For a steadier, more measured dose, chewable tablets of 1000 mg Vitamin C are also an option. For more protection inside and out, try a Vitamin C serum (a lotion with at least 15-20 % Vitamin C), applying it to the face at night, she suggests.
Dengue spread
Delhi-NCR among other states has witnessed rapid increase in the number of dengue cases in the past two weeks. The paucity of beds in both government and private hospitals has worsened the situation even more, such grim circumstances that only those seen bleeding and with platelets fallen till 30,000 are being prioritised and given admissions. With the COVID-19 virus still around and new variants emerging every now and then, Dengue just aggravates the situation.
It is important that with the utmost joy during the celebrations in this festive season, we take care of ourselves and the surroundings. Storing or leaving the water stagnated outside or inside the house can be a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes. High time that we stop ourselves and others from doing things that would only give space to such happenings.
“Unlike bacterial infections, we do not have effective antiviral drugs for most viral infections and hence prevention is the best bet,” says Dr Hari Kishan Boorugu, Consultant Physician and Diabetologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad.
He tells us that Dengue and Chikungunya viruses are transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. Unlike the Anopheles mosquito which transmits malaria, the Aedes mosquito is predominantly a daytime feeder.
“Aedes mosquitoes can grow in small water collections also. Because of its ability to grow in small water collections and daytime feeding habits, it is difficult to prevent its bites and hence Dengue infection’” he says.
To prevent Dengue infection, we need to act both at the public health level and individual level. Dr Boorugu tells us how, “At the public health level, regular spraying of anti-mosquito insecticides, ensuring good drainage, and prevention of waterlogging would be helpful.
At an individual level, simple measures like wearing full-sleeved clothes, trousers instead of shorts, and shoes when we venture out will help prevent mosquito bites to some extent.”
