As temp dips, spike in patients with chest, respiratory ailments

Gurgaon: With the city experiencing a dip in temperature and rise in pollutants, the hospitals are witnessing an increase in the number of patients with chest and respiratory diseases.
Doctors say that people are coming in with cough, breathing difficulty, chest pain and blood in sputum. Some are being admitted to the ICU because of low oxygen in blood and respiratory distress.
There has been at least a 30% rise in the number of respiratory patients in the past few days, according to private hospitals.
According to the health department, such cases are likely to increase further in the coming days and hospitals have been put on alert to handle emergency complications at the earliest. Senior citizens have also been advised to avoid stepping out of homes.
Gurgaon’s chief medical officer Dr Virender Yadav said, “Cold increases the concentration abilities of the platelets that leads to increased blood clotting. Cold also leads to a rise in the thickness of the blood vessels that can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure leading to stroke. Thus, all hospitals have been told to treat emergency cases at the earliest.”
“It is advised that residents do not go out for walks early in the morning . People with hypertension should check their parameters regularly,” he added.
Doctors, on the other hand, advise people to take plenty of water and do exercises.
“We are seeing a significant rise in the number of patients with bronchitis, chest infections, pneumonia, asthma and COPD exacerbation. Some are being admitted to ICU because of low oxygen in blood and respiratory distress,” said Dr Manoj Goel, director of pulmonology at Fortis hospital.