PATNA: The fall in temperature over the last one week has led to the rise in number of patients visiting government and private hospitals of the city. Even two cold-related deaths have been reported at
Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in the past seven days.
IGIMS medical superintendent Dr
Manish Mandal said both the patients were suffering from asthma, hypertension and paralysis when they were admitted to the hospital a few days back. "Apart from these two deaths, 75 other patients have been admitted with cold-related problems. Most of these patients suffered from diabetes, brain stroke, paralysis and haemorrhage and were either old or had skipped their medicines," he added.
In charge of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) central emergency, Dr Abhijeet Singh, said there was increase in the number of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), myocardial infarction (MI) and brain haemorrhage patients due to the sudden and severe cold weather conditions. "There has been 30 to 35% increase in such cases in the emergency ward during the past 10-15 days," he said.
He said diabetic people are at greater risk of MI as it is painless. "Diabetics should visit the doctor for regular check-ups and protect themselves from cold. People with heart problems are at a risk of heart attack as the blood thickens and coronary artery constricts. The blood pressure rises which may lead to both CVA and MI," said Dr Abhijeet. He advises people to eat light and exercise in the confines of their homes.
Usually, 200 patients visit PMCH medicine department's OPD on a daily basis. "Cases of pneumonia, bronchitis and winter diarrhoea have also increased 10 to 20%," said Dr Himanshu Kumar of medicine department.
Nalanda Medical College and Hospital's (NMCH) casualty has reported 10-15% increase in the CVA, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertension cases. "We have also noticed a slight increase in cases of diarrhoea and dysentery due to cold weather," he said.
