It
often starts off as dry cough that might not seem as a cause for
concern. Like many, you might blame the change of season. But soon, it
leads to breathlessness and persistent hacking. You know you can't put
it off any longer and visit the doctor. What follows are a battery of
tests as bronchitis, asthma and the dreaded consumption are on the rise
in our city, a dangerous by-product of the increasing pollution levels.
We spoke with Dr A Mahashur, Chief of Respiratory Medicine at P.D.
Hinduja National Hospital and consultant at Saifee Hospital, to give
you the low-down on pollution and it’s effects on the lungs as well as
tips on protecting yourself.
Every breath you take…
An
average human breathes in approximately 15000 litres of air per day and
apart from much needed oxygen, also takes in nitrogen dioxide, ozone,
carbon monoxide and other particulates. It is the latter gases we’re
talking about which form the poison in the air. The result – common
complaints such as ‘slight irritation in the throat’, watering of the
eyes, etc. However, air pollution often does lead to more serious
ailments; it causes worsening of bronchial asthma and bronchitis. It is
also known to increase the incidence of infectious diseases like
tuberculosis as also a worsening of symptoms of heart disease and a
higher incidence of lung cancer.
Winter Woes
With
the coldest day of the year just gone by in the city, almost everyone
seems to be nursing a cold or gulping down bitter cough syrups. The
cold reduces the immunity of the respiratory system. Also, levels of
pollutants are higher when temperatures are low. Therefore this season
sees an increase in attacks of cough, cold, breathlessness, viral
infections and pneumonias.
Precautions – A little goes a long way Jab for life
• The BCG vaccine, for the prevention of tuberculosis is given to newborns and
is required only once in a lifetime.
• The influenza vaccine needs to be repeated every year.
• A pneumococcal vaccine is recommended once every five years.
(The
influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are only recommended to those who
with reduced immunity or with a history of lung disease. Moreover, both
these vaccines can be administered to all patients – from 2 to 70 years)
Kick the butt
You
may ignore the fine print on the cigarette packs, but here are stats
you can't ignore: about ten lakh Indians die of smoking-related
diseases every year. The most common lung diseases amongst smokers are
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD) and lung cancer. Currently
about 14 million Indians are suffering from 'COLD'.
Foods that heal
Healthy
doesn’t necessarily translate to tasteless. A diet rich in vitamin E
helps prevent diseases by stimulating the immune system, while most
fruits contain vitamin C which boost immunity.
For asthma patients,
a diet rich in magnesium is recommended. Also, vitamin D (think salmon
or soya) is recommended to those suffering from TB as studies have
linked low levels of D with the disease.
High risk group – or is it?
• People
with asthma may suffer from repeated respiratory problems if their
asthma is inadequately controlled or if they don’t follow the advice of
their physician.
• If a person’s pneumonia is
treated properly then less problems arise in the future unless the
patient has a lowered immunity (result of some other disease).
• In
the case of tuberculosis, the patient is usually normal if the
infection is adequately and completely treated under the supervision of
a qualified doctor. But if it is inadequately treated or the patient
has a lowered immunity then he/she can suffer from repeated health
problems.
Lung disease and cardio problems
The
heart and lungs are very closely related and abnormality of one organ
can affect the other as well; which is why heart disease and lung
disease symptoms are similar. Hence every patient needs careful
evaluation for a correct diagnosis. Also, if a patient has a heart
attack, it may cause accumulation of water in the lungs which could
lead to breathlessness mainly at night, referred to as cardiac asthma
(often confused with bronchial asthma.)
How often should you visit a chest specialist?
A
person below 40 need not visit a chest specialist regularly. But a
person suffering from respiratory symptoms like cough, breathlessness,
fever and unexplained weight loss should visit a specialist and get
investigated with chest x-rays, blood tests etc. every six months at
least.
Dr A Mahashur
WHAT ABOUT TB?
Tuberculosis makes no
distinction between rich and poor, caste or creed. Among the body
organs, lungs are most likely to be infected. Any person who suffers
from a cough or fever for over10-15 days and doesn’t respond to the
treatment of a GP, must get evaluated by a specialist to rule out TB.
Each TB patient with germs in his/her sputum infects up to ten people
annually.
THE CURE
TB
is fully curable by tablets, provided the medication is taken regularly
and under supervision of a doctor for a period of 6-9 months. However
when the doctor's instructions are not adequately followed then the
disease can become drug resistant and also life threatening.
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