Breathing problems, asthma cases galore as Delhi suffers from worst smog in 17 years - Watch video

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The smog that has set in post Diwali in the national capital Delhi, has begun to show its dark side, with more cases of people complaining of asthma, allergies, severe breathlessness and other respiratory problems.

As the city grapples with the worst smog to hit Delhi in 17 years, doctors and experts say that besides spike in fresh cases, health complications have aggravated in people having a history of asthma, allergy or other related ailments. “Earlier 15-20% pollution-related ailment cases were reported at our hospital. But now these have gone up to 60%.

The high court has compared Delhi to a gas chamber, while the Centre has termed it an 'emergency situation', calling a meeting of environment ministers of all neighbouring states today to curb stubble burning by farmers.

Apart from respiratory issues, residents of Delhi/NCR have also been complaining about burning eyes the moment one steps out of the house.

According to experts, it is estimated that over 20% of the world’s population suffers from allergic diseases such as allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, atopic eczema and anaphylaxis.

Asthma is a worldwide problem, with estimated 300 million affected individuals and global prevalence which ranges from 1-18% in different geographical regions. Air pollution is killing nearly eight lakh people annually in the South East Asian Region with India alone accounting for over 75% of the casualties caused by cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer, according to WHO.

According to a recent WHO report, a few Indian cities, including Delhi, Patna and Gwalior were identified as among the severely polluted cities in the world. Experts say global warming and pollution are among the major factors responsible for causing allergic ailments. Cases of asthma and allergy have also doubled at Apollo Hospital in south Delhi, with doctors saying cases of coughing, sneezing, and eye and skin allergy on the rise in the wake of thick smog that has engulfed the city for past few days.

Watch the video below:

(With PTI inputs)