Kolkata sees post Diwali surge in respiratory illnesses, pregnancy complications

Hospitals across Kolkata have reported a significant rise in respiratory illnesses among people and complications among pregnant women and IVF patients after Diwali and Kali Puja celebrations with doctors attributing the surge to heightened air and noise pollution caused by bursting of firecrackersPulmonologists and gynaecologists observed an uptick in both outpatient and inpatient visits between October 20 and 22 with pollution levels soaring well beyond safe limitsSeveral medical professionals warned of serious health risks for vulnerable groups including those with preexisting respiratory conditions and expecting mothersDr Mrinmoy Mitra senior consultant pulmonologist at ILS Hospital Dumdum reported a 1015 per cent increase in hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses and a 20 per cent rise in OPD visits during the festive periodMost patients came in with aggravated asthma AECOPD chest tightness wheezing and nasal blockage Diwali smoke and firecracker emissions create a hazardous environment especially for those with chronic lung diseases Dr Mitra notedEchoing him Dr Soumya Sengupta senior consultant pulmonologist at Techno India DAMA Hospital said that in just three days over 40 patients sought treatment for asthma and COPD exacerbation up from the usual 10 to 15 patientsToxic gases like sulphur dioxide and ethylbenzene from firecrackers severely compromise air quality Throat irritation sneezing and shortness of breath were common symptoms he saidAt Manipal Hospitals OPD cases rose by nearly 25 per cent while inpatient admissions increased by around 510 per cent Dr Debraj Jash Head of Pulmonology Department told PTIThere has been a noticeable increase in cases when compared to the period before Kali Puja and Diwali The inpatient numbers have gone up by around 510 per cent while the outpatient cases have risen by nearly 2025 per cent he saidMost of the affected patients had preexisting respiratory illnesses such as asthma COPD or interstitial lung disease ILD Children accounted for a large portion of the OPD cases while hospitalised patients were primarily elderly individuals or those with chronic conditions he saidDr Sourav Bhuin consultant at Abha Surgy Centre highlighted a 1520 per cent spike in health complaints among pregnant and IVF patients following DiwaliWe saw an increased number of cases of respiratory distress hypertensive episodes sleep disturbances and even signs of preterm labour The high levels of PM25 and PM10 can penetrate deep into the lungs and may cross the placental barrier posing a threat to both mother and foetus Loud firecrackers also led to anxiety and insomnia further complicating pregnancy outcomes Dr Bhuin saidHowever other hospitals observed a more cautious trend among pregnant womenAccording to Dr Debraj Jash the number of respiratory complications in expectant mothers remained lowPregnant women generally take extra precautions to avoid exposure so we didnt see a major rise in such cases he saidThe medical professionals unanimously urged citizens and authorities to adopt safer quieter and more environmentally friendly celebration practicesFirecracker restrictions must be enforced more strictly and public awareness campaigns are essential to prevent postfestival health crises said Dr Mitra of ILS Hospital DumdumPeople with respiratory conditions should wear N95 masks avoid outdoor exposure during peak pollution hours and stay on prescribed medications he saidFor pregnant women Dr Bhuin recommended staying indoors during peak firecrackerbursting period using air purifiers and seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms like dizziness or breathlessness occurWith Kolkatas Air Quality Index AQI exceeding 200 in multiple areas postDiwali healthcare providers have reiterated that protecting public health particularly of vulnerable groups must be prioritised alongside festive traditionsThis 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 discretion for any reason whatsoever