Hyderabad: Smog is clouding urban India, due to the fall in temperature; hence, resulting in breathing problems, throat and eye irritation in school-going children, morning walkers and also office-goers. As the temperatures dip further, the increasing level of pollution has become a major health issue in most cities across India.

What is SMOG?

Smog contains soot particulates from smoke, sulphur dioxide, ground level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. When exposed to sunlight, smog forms noxious chemicals.

Health Hazards:

Smog affects the nose and lungs, it can inflame breathing passages, decrease the working capacity of lungs, cause shortness of breath and pain when inhaling deeply, other than wheezing and coughing. It causes asthma attacks, upper and lower respiratory track infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and other allergic
reactions.

‘Don’t stand at traffic signals for long’:

Due to increased humidity in the atmosphere, the particulate matter trapped by water vapour leads to a stuffy nose and asthma in people prone to allergens. This is a natural phenomenon, but now with increasing pollution, particulate matter less than 10 micro meters can enter lungs and lead to severe bronchitis, even lung cancer.

Dr Manish Gupta, Senior ENT surgeon at the ENT Hospital, Koti, explains, “The blockage created due to the particulate matter in the nose compels the patient to breathe through the nose which is dangerous. Tickling in the throat is the first sign for breathing problems and can lead to polyps in the nose, bronchitis and lung cancer in the long run.”

Home remedies like drinking warm water helps, but doesn’t prevent the damage to the nose or lungs. Dr Gupta explains, “Similarly, green tea will not help to control the allergic symptoms, but it is good as it contains plenty of anti-oxidants, nutrients and caffeine.

But what is more important in the winter season is to educate people regarding judicious use of vehicles. For small errands, in the by-lanes of societies, cars and bikes must be avoided. Children, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups must not wait for too long at traffic signals during this season as it tends to aggravate an attack.”

‘Respiratory deaths high during winters’:

A lot of people suffer from throat and cough problems, due to the increasing levels of pollutants in the air. The reason for the increasing symptoms is because during the day, the particulate matter in the pollutants react with the smog leading to the formation of noxious particles. These cause irritation and damage to skin, eyes and the respiratory tracts.

Exposure to dust particles and pollutants also cause damage to the skin causing irritation, discolouration and even aging faster by creating wrinkles. The breathing passages of nose and lungs get inflamed due to which over a period of time the working capacity of lungs is decreased.

Dr Gopi Kirshna Yedlapati, Interventional pulmonologist at Yashoda Hospitals, explains, “Prolonged exposure to smog leads to throat discomfort, pain and infections leading to pharyngitis and tonsillitis. It also leads to shortness of breath, pain when inhaling deeply, wheezing and coughing.”

The eyes, too, get affected as dust particles cause irritation, dryness, watering, corneal ulcers and infections of the eye. Dr Yedlapati explains, “When the symptoms are severe, it is important that patients visit the hospitals immediately. Often patients come late and if they are in the vulnerable group, it can lead to complications. In the winter season, respiratory-related deaths are very high.”

Protect yourself:

Cover the face with a mask; wear protective goggles for the eyes.

Use eye drops to prevent drying after consulting the doctor.

Take frequent sips of warm water to soothe the throat.

Wear warm woollen clothes to cover the chest, cover ears and nose, when out in a highly polluted area. If possible, avoid going out during peak hours or heavy traffic.

Avoid company of people who smoke.

People must not sneeze in their hand or cough in public. Use a handkerchief for sneezing and coughing.

Wash hands frequently.