Bengaluru: During last year’s Diwali, a 10-month-old baby girl had severe breathing problems and was brought to a city hospital late at night. An chest X-ray revealed that the child had swallowed a small LED bulb used for Diwali celebrations. The child was taken for a emergency bronchoscopy and was discharged the next day after the bulb was removed.
This is not unique: hosts of ailments bring people to the physician's room during Diwali. Urging people to celebrate responsibly, city pulmonologist Dr K.S. Satish said, “Every year, we see a surprising increase in COPD and asthma cases during Diwali and the graph has always been high. Apart from staying indoors, precautions like carrying inhalers can help avoid the risk of asthma attacks. The smog can be toxic and even dangerous for people with asthma.”
He said, “Be careful, protect your loved ones. Crackers release toxic gases which increase respirable suspended particulate matter. Health related problems occur mainly in children and the elderly. Common emergency cases in children include injuries directly due to burns from firecrackers, temporary hearing loss and eye injuries. Respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis and acute exacerbation of COPD in those previously suffering from it are common for adults and children," said Dr Firozahmad Torgal, Consultant, Emergency Medicine, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeshwanthpur.
“City weather worsens allergic conditions. Those prone to them have to be careful during Diwali as fumes from crackers can easily worsen the problems. We have launched a helpline to assist children in need," said Dr Rakshay Shetty, Head, Paediatric Intensive Care Services, Rainbow Hospital.
Dr Satish Nair, Senior ENT Consultant and Surgeon, Apollo Hospital, said, “Fireworks like 'phuljaris' include highly toxic heavy metals like copper, lead and zinc that can trigger asthma, cause severe headaches and lung diseases, apart from chronic coughs. As the pollution level shoots up due to lighting of crackers, people with hypersensitive airways should stay indoors to avoid inhaling polluted smoke. It is better to wear glasses while playing with crackers as chemicals in them can cause perforation of the eyes and even affect one's vision.”
