POLLUTION REDUCES YOUR WEIGHT...one lung at a time!

POLLUTION REDUCES YOUR WEIGHT...one lung at a time!

It often starts off as dry cough that might not seem as a cause for concern. Like many, you might blame the change of season. But soon, it leads to breathlessness and persistent hacking. You know you can't put it off any longer and visit the doctor. What follows are a battery of tests as bronchitis, asthma and the dreaded consumption are on the rise in our city, a dangerous by-product of the increasing pollution levels. We spoke with Dr A Mahashur, Chief of Respiratory Medicine at P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and consultant at Saifee Hospital, to give you the low-down on pollution and it’s effects on the lungs as well as tips on protecting yourself.
EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE…
An average human breathes in approximately 15000 litres of air per day and apart from much needed oxygen, also takes in nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and other particulates. It is the latter gases we’re talking about which form the poison in the air. The result – common complaints such as ‘slight irritation in the throat’, watering of the eyes, etc. However, air pollution often does lead to more serious ailments; it causes worsening of bronchial asthma and bronchitis. It is also known to increase the incidence of infectious diseases like tuberculosis as also a worsening of symptoms of heart disease and a higher incidence of lung cancer.
WINTER WOES
With the coldest day of the year just gone by in the city, almost everyone seems to be nursing a cold or gulping down bitter cough syrups. The cold reduces the immunity of the respiratory system. Also, levels of pollutants are higher when temperatures are low. Therefore this season sees an increase in attacks of cough, cold, breathlessness, viral infections and pneumonias.
PRECAUTIONS – A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY
JAB FOR LIFE

• The BCG vaccine, for the prevention of tuberculosis is given to newborns and is required only once in a lifetime.

• The influenza vaccine needs to be repeated every year.

• A pneumococcal vaccine is recommended once every five years.
(The influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are only recommended to those who with reduced immunity or with a history of lung disease. Moreover, both these vaccines can be administered to all patients – from 2 to 70 years)
KICK THE BUTT
You may ignore the fine print on the cigarette packs, but here are stats you can't ignore: about ten lakh Indians die of smoking-related diseases every year. The most common lung diseases amongst smokers are Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD) and lung cancer. Currently about 14 million Indians are suffering from 'COLD'.
FOODS THAT HEAL
Healthy doesn’t necessarily translate to tasteless. A diet rich in vitamin E helps prevent diseases by stimulating the immune system, while most fruits contain vitamin C which boost immunity.
For asthma patients, a diet rich in magnesium is recommended. Also, vitamin D (think salmon or soya) is recommended to those suffering from TB as studies have linked low levels of D with the disease.
HIGH RISK GROUP – OR IS IT?

• People with asthma may suffer from repeated respiratory problems if their asthma is inadequately controlled or if they don’t follow the advice of their physician.

• If a person’s pneumonia is treated properly then less problems arise in the future unless the patient has a lowered immunity (result of some other disease).

• In the case of tuberculosis, the patient is usually normal if the infection is adequately and completely treated under the supervision of a qualified doctor. But if it is inadequately treated or the patient has a lowered immunity then he/she can suffer from repeated health problems.
LUNG DISEASE AND CARDIO PROBLEMS
The heart and lungs are very closely related and abnormality of one organ can affect the other as well; which is why heart disease and lung disease symptoms are similar. Hence every patient needs careful evaluation for a correct diagnosis. Also, if a patient has a heart attack, it may cause accumulation of water in the lungs which could lead to breathlessness mainly at night, referred to as cardiac asthma (often confused with bronchial asthma.)
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU VISIT A CHEST SPECIALIST?
A person below 40 need not visit a chest specialist regularly. But a person suffering from respiratory symptoms like cough, breathlessness, fever and unexplained weight loss should visit a specialist and get investigated with chest xrays, blood tests etc. every six months at least.
WHAT ABOUT TB?
Tuberculosis makes no distinction between rich and poor, caste or creed. Among the body organs, lungs are most likely to be infected. Any person who suffers from a cough or fever for over10-15 days and doesn’t respond to the treatment of a GP, must get evaluated by a specialist to rule out TB. Each TB patient with germs in his/her sputum infects up to ten people annually.
THE CURE
TB is fully curable by tablets, provided the medication is taken regularly and under supervision of a doctor for a period of 6-9 months. However when the doctor's instructions are not adequately followed then the disease can become drug resistant and also life threatening.
– AS TOLD TO KIRAN MEHTA