Delhi Air Pollution Not Just Affecting Lungs; Doctors Say Sudden Surge in Cases of Headache, Anxiety

Doctors and health experts explained the hazardous impact of air pollution on the overall health of the human body and said it damages the brain, and heart and can trigger anxiety across all age groups if not dealt with precaution.

Explaining the impact of poor air quality on the mental and physical health of those exposed, Dr Neeraj Gupta, head of the pulmonary medicine department at the Safdarjung Hospital, told PTI  that there has been a sudden increase in cases of headache, anxiety, irritation, confusion and decrement of cognitive abilities.

He said that those among the vulnerable populations such as the elderly, school-going children and pregnant women can be impacted the most by the rising air pollution.

“Neurocognitive ability is directly linked to rising nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide in the air as they impact the nervous system. “So gas chamber is a technically correct term to be used because of the rise of the concentration of harmful gases and not just particulate matter,” PTI quoted him as saying.

Especially, vulnerable populations and patients with pre-existing conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ischaemic heart disease should try to stay indoors and take preventive measures.

Quoting research on the impact of the Air Quality Index (AQI) on the mathematical abilities of children, Dr Gupta said the only way out is avoidance of exposure to this toxic air.

Air Pollution Affecting Health of Delhites, Rise in Hospitalisation

Delhi hospitals have been witnessing an increase in the number of patients suffering from respiratory and breathing complications for the last few days, doctors said.

Former All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) director Dr Randeep Guleria said there have been studies that have linked air pollution to increased risks of brain stroke, dementia and cognitive decline.

“Because of the significant multi-organ health hazard pollution causes to humans, there is an urgent need to take sustainable actions to bring down the levels of air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic plains,” Guleria, who is currently the chairman of internal medicine, respiratory and sleep medicine at the Medanta hospital, said.

“Also, data suggests that throughout the year, in more than 50 per cent of days, the air quality continues to be in an unacceptable range, thereby exposing citizens to the harmful effects of air pollution on most days, which further aggravates during winter,” Guleria said.

“Along with prolonged coughing, breathing difficulty, throat infection and chest tightness, patients are complaining about anxiety, confusion and increased irritability. This air pollution is a major crisis that needs to be mitigated urgently,” he told PTI.

A toxic haze clouded Delhi for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday as pollution levels once again reached the “severe-plus” category due to unfavourable wind conditions, particularly calm winds during the night.

Every winter, the air quality drops down to poor levels and a lot of discussions take place but no concrete sustainable action is taken, he said.

(With PTI inputs)