Seasonal diseases flare up as temperature drops
Patients with respiratory diseases and allergies rising, say doctors.
LAHORE:
Public hospitals have seen a 20 to 30 per cent rise in the number of patients with respiratory diseases and allergies in recent days as the weather has cooled, say doctors.
“Most of the patients we are seeing have seasonal diseases,” said ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist Prof Amjad. He said people with respiratory diseases, allergies or throat infections should avoid fog.
“The body is more accustomed to summer than winter and infections can easily take their toll. Kids are especially vulnerable to viral diseases. Warm clothing is very important. Air conditioners and fans shouldn’t be used as they can cause stiff muscles and body aches,” he said.
Dr Amjad said asthmatics should take special care as the temperature drops. “Those who go out early morning in the fog should use masks to avoid catching cold or aggravating respiratory problems.”
He said that people should get at least six hours of sleep each night and eat high-protein foods like eggs, fish and meat.
Dr Shahid Malik, assistant professor of community medicine at the Institute of Public Health, said allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis (running nose and breathing problems) and respiratory diseases were common seasonal illnesses among grown-ups while bronchial pneumonia was common among kids.
He said seasonal diseases had gone up by 20 per cent in the last few days and many patients had chest infections and skin allergies. He said diabetics and heart patients needed to take special care to dress warmly. They should avoid going on walks too early in the morning because of the fog.
Dr Mahmoodul Hasan, a general physician, said the number of patients with seasonal diseases had increased with the start of winter. He said people should wear warm clothes especially in the morning and evening to avoid seasonal diseases.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2011.
Public hospitals have seen a 20 to 30 per cent rise in the number of patients with respiratory diseases and allergies in recent days as the weather has cooled, say doctors.
“Most of the patients we are seeing have seasonal diseases,” said ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist Prof Amjad. He said people with respiratory diseases, allergies or throat infections should avoid fog.
“The body is more accustomed to summer than winter and infections can easily take their toll. Kids are especially vulnerable to viral diseases. Warm clothing is very important. Air conditioners and fans shouldn’t be used as they can cause stiff muscles and body aches,” he said.
Dr Amjad said asthmatics should take special care as the temperature drops. “Those who go out early morning in the fog should use masks to avoid catching cold or aggravating respiratory problems.”
He said that people should get at least six hours of sleep each night and eat high-protein foods like eggs, fish and meat.
Dr Shahid Malik, assistant professor of community medicine at the Institute of Public Health, said allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis (running nose and breathing problems) and respiratory diseases were common seasonal illnesses among grown-ups while bronchial pneumonia was common among kids.
He said seasonal diseases had gone up by 20 per cent in the last few days and many patients had chest infections and skin allergies. He said diabetics and heart patients needed to take special care to dress warmly. They should avoid going on walks too early in the morning because of the fog.
Dr Mahmoodul Hasan, a general physician, said the number of patients with seasonal diseases had increased with the start of winter. He said people should wear warm clothes especially in the morning and evening to avoid seasonal diseases.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2011.