Happy Diwali 2023: What Is The Impact Of Increase In Pollution In Delhi After Diwali? Know How To Deal With It

Sudden rise in pollution after Diwali which may be due to bursting of crackers or increase in vehicular pollution or due to stubble burning result in health problems amongst most.

Impact Of Increase In Smog In Delhi After Diwali

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Smog is a mixture of fog and smoke which affects human health on a large scale. Sudden rise in pollution after Diwali which may be due to bursting of crackers or increase in vehicular pollution or due to stubble burning result in health problems amongst most. Extremes of ages i.e. children and elderly are more vulnerable and patients with comorbidities tend to develop severe health problems.

In this regard, Dr. Sandeep Nayar, who is the Principal Director & HOD Pulmonology, at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital said, "Due to increase in smog, the respiratory system is badly affected. People tend to have excessive dry cough & breathlessness due to increase in irritants in air. Those patients who are suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD present with severe respiratory distress and few may even had to be admitted. These patients experience increase in symptoms despite taking regular medication."

"Patient also complain of neurological problem including dizziness, headache and confusion. There is also increase in number of patients with heart problem and we see an increase in heart attacks and stroke cases because of smog. Some patients may experience swelling, redness, irritation, and itching over face including throat and eyes and present with watering of eyes and nasal blockage," he added.

Respiratory Issues After Diwali And How To Prevent It

Dr Ajit Kulkarni, who is aPulmonologist, at Sahyadri Super speciality Hospital, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune said, "Respiratory issues arising from this pollution primarily affect two categories of people: those with pre-existing lung diseases such as asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), interstitial lung disease, and others, and those without pre-existing lung diseases."

• Impact on People with Pre-Existing Lung Diseases:

For individuals with pre-existing lung diseases, the spike in air pollution leads to the exacerbation of their underlying conditions. This is often referred to as a "lung attack." During this time, these individuals experience acute exacerbations of conditions like asthma and COPD. Common symptoms include increased coughing, breathlessness, and wheezing sounds in the chest. Exposure to dust from cleaning during Diwali further worsens their asthma and underlying COPD.

• Impact on People without Pre-Existing Lung Diseases:

Even individuals without pre-existing lung diseases are not immune to the effects of the heightened pollution. They may experience symptoms such as itchy eyes, a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and occasional breathlessness due to the various pollution sources mentioned earlier.

• Prevention:

Use of Masks: To protect against the harmful effects of pollution, wearing masks is essential. It is particularly important for individuals with asthma or COPD.

Avoid Firecrackers: The bursting of firecrackers significantly contributes to air pollution. People are urged to avoid setting off fireworks, not only during Diwali but also throughout the year.

Vehicle Maintenance: Regular servicing of vehicles is vital in reducing their contribution to air pollution. Keeping vehicles well-maintained can help mitigate pollution levels.

Inhaler Treatment: Individuals with asthma or COPD should not discontinue their prescribed inhaler treatments. Consistency in medication is crucial for managing their conditions.

• Immediate Treatment:

Seek Medical Attention: If anyone, whether with or without a pre-existing lung condition, experiences respiratory problems, they should promptly consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

5 Breathing Exercises To Cope With The After Effects Of Diwali Pollution:

Saurabh Bothra, who is a Certified Yoga Instructor & CEO, of Habuild said, "One of the most common effects of this is the feeling of congestion. So many people wake up with stuffy noses, irritated throats, and heavy chests due to the polluted air they've been exposed to during the festival. This can have immediate and long-term effects on human health."

"To counter these post-Diwali effects and strengthen your lungs, consider incorporating the following five simple yoga breathing exercises into your routine. However, it's essential to remember that these exercises are best practised in a cleaner environment, free from post-Diwali pollution," he added.

• Kapalbhati:

This powerful practice not only cleanses your respiratory system and improves lung function but also reduces stress, boosts brain energy, enhances blood circulation, and supports your liver and kidney functions by removing toxins.

• Ujjayi Pranayama:

Ujjayi Pranayama is known for its soothing and strengthening effects on the respiratory system. It involves creating a soft hissing sound during both inhalation and exhalation, which helps improve lung capacity and clear the air passages. ALong with this it also boosts the immune and nervous system function.

• Anulom Vilom:

This powerful breathing exercise helps clear your respiratory passages, strengthen your lungs, calm your nervous system, and support clear and balanced respiratory channels.

• Bhastrika Pranayama:

This breathing exercise clears your air passages, enhances lung capacity, and removes toxins from your body, making it especially useful for alleviating congestion and discomfort caused by post-Diwali pollution.

• Bhramari Pranayama:

Bhramari can help reduce stress and soothe the respiratory system. It can alleviate the tension that may result from exposure to air pollution.

Prof. Tarundeep Singh Anand, who is the Founder and Chancellor of Universal AI University concluded, "We all should celebrate a pollution-free and eco-friendly Diwali. We need to handle our environment with care. A city like Mumbai has already recorded soaring levels of air pollution. The firecrackers and its smoke would add further to it. When the efforts are on by various organisations to adapt a 'Green' approach where an emphasis has been given to energy saving and carbon footprint reduction, the citizens also can contribute in keeping the environment pollution free. A festival like Diwali is a better occasion to show our commitment towards clean environment. If the younger generation, particularly the children, inherit these values today then they would become an environment-sensitive generation of tomorrow."