Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Smoking leads to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Twenty pack years cause cancer in human being, said pulmonologist Dr Priya Nath Agrawal. Pack years is based on how much cigarettes people smoke per day and the number of years they actively smoked. Free Press talks to Dr Agrawal on reparatory diseases.
Excerpts
Smoking is major cause of respiratory diseases. How it affect people?
Students smoke to have first experience or to impress friends. About 70% students smoke in the country. About 30% start smoking in schools. 40% develop habit of smoking at college level. In India, 9 lakh smokers die every year while in US, 4 lakh smokers die every year. In India, situation is serious compared to the US. Over 3.5 crore people are suffering from bronchitis asthma in India. With the change in weather, allergic patients face problems.
How does winter affect them?
Generally, respiratory problems relapse with variation in temperature. So in winter, people should be cautious. They should use lukewarm water. Sudden change in weather cause more problems to people having allergies. Respiratory problems aggravate. In rainy season, allergic patients face problems due to high humidity percentage in atmosphere.
Should allergic patients change eating habits in winter?
They should avoid consumption of ice cream, cold drink, ice candy etc. All these should be take out from fridge and should be kept in normal temperature before consuming. Consume hot tea, coffee and hot water for protection.
How does pollution affect allergic patients?
Pollution causes bronchitis, asthma. Ashthma patients should avoid triggers like whitewash, dust, paints, perfume, vegetable fry in kitchen, pet fur, incense sticks etc. Traffic policemen are exposed to pollution (vehicular pollution) for longer period. So, they should use mask for protection.
What is difference between normal cough and Eosinophilic cough?
If the cough persists for about 10 days, it is normal cough and will be cured with consumption of ginger tea. Otherwise, people should consult doctors. Eosinophilic bronchitis is a common cause of chronic (long-term) cough. The condition is characterised by inflammation of airways, which is common in bronchitis.
