Even a short-term exposure to air pollution can trigger neurological problems

With air pollution levels rising across the DelhiNCR region a growing number of people are reporting neurological health problems Shortterm exposure can trigger issues like cognitive impairment anxiety and even stroke Particulate matter PM25 nitrogen dioxide and ozone are key culprits disrupting brain function and sparking inflammationSpeaking with ANI Dr Vinit Suri senior consultant Neurology Apollo Hospitals said that rising air pollution is linked to neurological issues like headaches dizziness and memory loss with longterm exposure potentially causing Alzheimers Parkinsons and strokesHe said Normally it is said that air pollution affects the lungs sinuses and heart but after a lot of research it can be said that it affects the brain too Shortterm exposure can cause headache dizziness and transient memory loss or brain fogging Longterm exposure is linked to many neurological disorders like alzheimers dementia Parkinsons disease ADHD and autism in kids Strokes are also linked to exposure to high pollution levelsHe further stated that air pollution tends to slow down the recovery of stroke patientsThere are some observational studies that high air pollution can slow down the recovery of stroke patients added Dr SuriWith rising air pollution physicians are seeing a surge in chest Xrays and chest CT scans due to increased lungrelated conditions Air pollution directly affects the lungs and causes inflammation in other organs thereby increasing the demand for these diagnostic testsDr Harsh Mahajan Chairman of the FICCI Health Services Committee and Founder and Chief Radiologist at Mahajan Imaging amp Labs said In winters we see an upsurge of people coming with breathlessness chest infection some allergic conditionsSo it is a routine matter that the number of chest Xrays or for that matter even chest CTS that we may do in our centres does increase in winters However Dr Mahajan pointed out that it remains difficult to clearly distinguish how much of these ailments can be attributed to low temperatures and how much to air pollutionHe further said It is difficult to segregate how much of this is because of the low temperature and how much is due to pollutionHe further emphasised that the goal is to reduce pollution levels to levels acceptable under WHO guidelines in the coming months and yearsCertainly the government has a huge responsibility to put things in order to reduce pollution whether it is pollution from vehicles and they are doing it by mandating the BS6 norms for vehicles They are also working to reduce dust at road construction sites However the government must increase public transport Citizens and the government should work together to resolve this problem Our goal should be that progressively in the next months and years to come pollution should be brought down to levels that are acceptable as per WHO norms said Dr MahajanDr Vinay Goyal Chairman Neurology Neurosciences Medanta Gurugram said We frequently observe a distinct surge in headache complaints during colder months exacerbated by escalating air pollution These headaches are far from trivial globally they represent a significant public health challenge ranking as the second leading cause of years lived with disability YLDs The burden is particularly profound in countries like India which in 2019 ranked among the top four globally for the highest migraine cases alongside China the USA and Indonesia A study in Karnataka for example showed a staggering oneyear prevalence of 25237 significantly above the global average We also note that prevalence is often higher in rural areas and disproportionately affects women with a femaletomale ratio of about 31 Children are affected too with approximately 1537 experiencing migrainesWinter brings unique physiological challenges barometric pressure shifts a natural rise in blood pressure due to coldinduced vasoconstriction and subtle dehydration from reduced fluid intake are common triggers Increased indoor time exposes us to dry heated air and concentrated allergens irritating the sinuses Reduced daylight also impacts mood and sleep indirectly worsening headache frequencyLayered on top of these seasonal factors is the insidious threat of air pollution Microscopic particulate matter PM25 groundlevel ozone and other noxious gases are more than respiratory irritants Inhaled these pollutants trigger systemic inflammation and oxidative stress affecting brain tissues They impact blood vessel function and directly irritate nasal nerve endings contributing to tension or sinus headachesThe synergy between these elements is concerning A body already under stress from winter conditions becomes inherently more vulnerable to the inflammatory assault of pollutants A mild transient headache can become more severe prolonged and frequent when both factors are presentMy advice is practical and preventative prioritise consistent hydration even if you dont feel thirsty Invest in highefficiency air purifiers for your home and consider N95 masks when venturing outdoors on highpollution days Ensure adequate sleep proactively manage stress and maintain a balanced diet If headaches become persistent or severe or affect your quality of life please consult your physician We can help identify underlying causes and tailor an effective management strategy to safeguard your healthVulnerable groups like children the elderly and those with preexisting conditions face heightened risks Reducing exposure through masks green spaces and policy changes can help mitigate these effects Experts urged the government and citizens to collaborate on solutions such as expanding public transport and enforcing BS6 normsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute 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