Smog in Lahore: What to expect and what precautions to take
The city had witnessed a similar situation the previous year following which a spike in health-relat
By Nooria Ali
In a repetition of what transpired last year, dense smog has engulfed the city of Lahore over the past few days raising fears of not just visibility but also those pertaining to health.
The city had witnessed a similar situation the previous year following which a spike in health-related problems was also observed.
According to Dr. Hussain Chohan, a general physician, smog results from air impurities and pollutants that can be hazardous to human health.
While smog poses several issues, the most obvious being difficulty in breathing, people suffering from allergies and cardiac problems are more prone to be affected by it, especially children and the elderly.
Following are some of the problems you may face these days as identified by Dr. Chohan.
Women walking along the road as a thick blanket of smog engulfs the city. Photo: OINN
Eye-infections
Exposure to Ultra Violet radiations plays a role in the spreading of various eye infections including irritation, burning sensation, watering and redness of eyes.
Wearing UV protected sunglasses outdoors can be helpful. To thwart augmented allergy and any sort of eye infection, avoid rubbing the eyes and frequently use eye drops suggested by your eye-specialists.
Coughing
If the air quality is bad, stay indoors and try to keep the windows closed. When a person is exposed to pollution, it can cause coughing and irritation in the throat.
Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day and include hot fluids to your daily routine. It helps rinsing out the toxins from throat and lungs that can be beneficial in curing cough and sore throat as well.
Headaches
Elevating chemical concentrations in the air, changing temperature, and dehydration all play a role in causing headaches.
To counter this, keep yourself well-hydrated. Try to consume liquids throughout the day, rather than just gulping them down at meal times.
Moreover, try having hot showers as it helps reducing ongoing exposure.
A thick blanket of smog engulfs Lahore. Photo: OINN
Asthma and allergies
People with asthma and allergies are more prone to lung inflammation especially during smoggy days. The presence of toxins in the air can aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms, leaving people struggling to breathe.
To avoid this situation limit your time outdoors, but if going out is the only option then pick a personal protective tool such as a face mask, and cover nose and mouth while stepping out. Keep asthma medications prescribed by your doctor handy.
Hazardous to cardiac patients
Cardiac patients may witness escalated symptoms during smog that could lead to severe health problems. Polluted air comprises of particles that prevent an individual to breathe normally and can cause irregular heart beating, at times even resulting in chest pain.
People suffering with cardiac problems must avoid situations where they are exposed to high levels of air pollution.
Other precautions include sanitising their indoor air using air filters and avoiding outdoor physical activities such as walking or exercising near smoggy and hazy areas.
