Chitwan. The daily life of the common people is becoming uncomfortable due to air pollution across the country. Forest fires, fires set by farmers on weeds collected in their fields, industrial smoke, dust from construction, etc. are worsening the air quality and increasing pollution. Problems are especially being seen in breathing and eyes.
Senior Respiratory and Chest Disease Specialist Prof. Dr. Sheetal Adhikari says that the current situation is very bad for respiratory patients. He says that the current pollution, in addition to causing immediate cough and breathing problems, has the risk of scarring the lungs in the long term and weakening the immune system.
He says that patients whose lungs are affected by COVID are more at risk from this pollution than usual. An official working at Chitwan Medical College says, ‘The number of respiratory patients in the hospital is increasing, and those who take regular medication may have to increase the dosage if the condition persists.’
Doctors emphasize the need to protect children, the elderly, and heart and kidney patients from this pollution. The official said that since children’s ability to fight diseases is not fully developed, asthma and respiratory problems can increase when they come into contact with dust while playing outside.
Explaining that due to air pollution, air containing dust particles and chemicals reaches our lungs, he said, “Our body’s immune system ‘filters’ it to some extent, but the remaining pollution reaches the inner part of the lungs and causes coughing, difficulty breathing and long-term effects.”
Currently, many of the patients coming to the hospital are coughing, having difficulty breathing, and some of them have black and dirty sputum. He said that this pollution has affected those who already have respiratory problems even more.
He suggested that in the current situation, it is necessary to reduce morning exercise and outdoor activities. He said, ‘There is no opportunity to get fresh air in the market area, the use of masks should be mandatory when going out, but even masks cannot completely prevent small dust particles.’
He said that it would be better for those with respiratory problems to stay at home. He also suggested that attention should be paid to the cleanliness of food and drink. Dr. Kumudini Subedi, a senior ophthalmologist at Bharatpur Eye Hospital, said that the number of eye patients has been increasing in recent days. She said that due to the current air pollution, patients are coming to the hospital with problems such as burning eyes, tearing, and difficulty opening their eyes.
She said that the current pollution has affected children more. She said, ‘Children have been found to have problems such as red eyes and itching.’ She said that children face more problems when they go outside to play, and she even suggested that children should not be allowed to play outside.
She suggested that they should not wet their eyes with water just because their eyes are burning. She said that it is necessary to use glasses when walking outside. She also urged them not to walk outside in the morning. Dr. Kiran Devkota, a senior pediatrician at Bharatpur Hospital, says that the current polluted air is affecting children.
Says that the number of children coming to the hospital has increased compared to before, and he suggested that children not be allowed to go out in this situation. He said that due to polluted air, respiratory problems are more common in children.
He said, ‘Children have flu-like symptoms, but although the chest is not affected much, it has affected the throat and respiratory tract.’ He said that this affects the upper part of the respiratory tract and leads to pneumonia. Now, the school has been given a holiday after the annual exams. Saying that most children prefer to play outside during this time, he suggested keeping them indoors and protecting them from pollution.
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