Weather changing, so precaution a must
Get set for a gradual increase in the day and night temperatures in the next few days. The cold winds that continued to give respite from the rising temperatures may soon end, ushering in warmer days .
State met director JP Gupta said, “the weather is likely to be dry all over the state. Day and night temperatures will gradually witness an increase in the next two- three days. However, the change would be of a few degrees only.”
The dry winds that Lucknowites had been experiencing were the north westerly winds, said Gupta. The chill in the air would gradually vanish with the increase in temperatures, he added.
On Saturday, Lucknow witnessed a maximum of 28.7 degree Celsius which was 1 degree above normal. The minimum temperature was recorded at 10.3 degrees Celsius which was 1 degree below normal.
While weather is changing and winter is retreating, this is also the time for illness.The season is also causing respiratory distress among people.
Doctors say this might continue till Holi as change of season will take a few weeks before its impact upon health goes off.
“Upto 25% cases in the OPD are those with respiratory disorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), making breathing difficult,” said Prof Surya Kant, HoD, Pulmonary Medicine at the King George’s Medical University.
COPD patients are usually long term smokers. Exposure to pollutants, biomass fuel, industrial dust and chemical fumes for long periods adds to risk.
However, correct line of treatment gave relief, said Dr B P Singh, consultant at Midland Healthcare and Research Centre. COPD patients find it hard to breathe and being a progressive disease it means that it gets worse over time.
Hence a thorough understanding of the causes, symptoms, correct line of treatment and the precautions to be taken is important.
“There are certain preventive aspects that one needs to follow and if one is ill, proper treatment is the option,” said Prof Surya Kant.
At times, a genetic defect that leads to something called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency may also be responsible for COPD in some people.
People who smoke and suffer from this deficiency generally start experiencing symptoms as early as in their 30s and 40s. For COPD, inhaled form of medication is preferred as it directly reaches the lungs.