World COPD day – 20, Nov

Dr. Praveen Gupta, Principal Director & Chief of Neurology, Fortis Hospital

COPD can lead to chronic hypoxia, which can impair the functioning of brain cells, giving rise to memory disorders, decreased attention, and forgetfulness. COPD also leads to derangement of sleep function and sleep disorders, where impairment of sleep further leads to lack of cognition, decreased attention, and memory. COPD is also associated with an increased inflammatory cascade in the body, which leads to oxidative damage to various organs, which can be improved by taking a lot of antioxidants. There is increased depression and anxiety in patients with COPD, and there is also a higher risk of sleep apnea in patients with COPD.

Dr. Neetu Jain, Senior Consultant Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, PSRI Hospital

These days, the talk of the town is the pollution in Delhi, which has been worsening over the past two to three days. The AQI is consistently above 400, and visibility is quite low. Consequently, there has been a significant increase in the number of patients visiting the OPD, with at least a 50% rise in those presenting symptoms related to pollution. Both patients with pre-existing lung diseases and those with no prior history of lung issues are coming to the OPD.

Most of them are suffering from cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Some patients also complain of sore throat, throat pain, generalized fatigue, headaches, and burning eyes. The number of patients in emergency care is also rising, particularly those with asthma or COPD experiencing acute exacerbations.

Additionally, there has been an increase in infections, with a few patients presenting with severe pneumonia requiring initial ICU admission. Overall, the health situation is quite dire and worsening by the day.

A common trend this season is a prolonged cough that does not improve with usual medications or antibiotics, with many patients requiring inhalers more frequently. Moreover, patients who previously managed their conditions during pollution episodes are struggling this year. At least three patients, who had been stable for years, have been admitted under my care due to pollution-related symptoms.

Dr. Manav Manchanda, Director & Head- Respiratory, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Asian Hospital.

We are seeing an increasing in the patients suffering from respiratory illness, specially who are above the age of 60 or suffering from pre-existing problems like Asthma and other health conditions like heart problems. We will advise people to stay inside as much as possible, use N95 mask that is the best you can do if going out for work. Take steam or gargle.