PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Changes in maximum and minimum temperatures, coupled with the cold wave, have led to a rise in respiratory issues such as difficulty in breathing, surpassing the incidence of viral fevers and other illnesses among children in Dehradun, the doctors said. Recently, on Thursday, Dehradun’s maximum temperature was recorded at about 27.2 degrees Celsius, which is four degrees higher than normal, while the minimum temperature stood at 8.2 degrees Celsius, one degree below the average. The sudden, abrupt temperature shift over a few days and the presence of a cold wave have contributed to an increase in respiratory problems among children in Dehradun. Doctors recommended that children wear appropriate clothing and maintain a healthy diet to help alleviate these health concerns.
Pediatrician at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay District Hospital Dr Neetu Tomar that the hospital’s outpatient department (OPD) has seen an uptick in cases of cough, cold, breathing issues and asthma due to the ongoing cold wave and fluctuating temperatures. She said that respiratory problems and asthma are particularly prevalent among children right now, more so than typical viral infections. Currently, children aged six months to nine years are frequenting the hospital for these conditions. In light of this, she emphasised the importance of precautions to help prevent these ailments. Parents are encouraged to ensure their children wear warm clothing, avoid dust and maintain a nutritious diet, as proper nutrition can help shield children from these health issues, she said.
“I wouldn’t say that the number of children visiting the OPD has increased during this period; it remains stable. However, there has indeed been a rise in cases of asthma and breathing difficulties among children due to changing weather conditions as compared to viral fevers,” stated, a pediatrician at Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital Dr Vishal Kaushik.
He said that breathing difficulties in children tend to rise during this season because air quality index (AQI) levels get affected. In the monsoon, rain tends to wash away pollutants, but this doesn’t happen in winter. As a result, the combination of cold waves and poor air quality has led to more breathing challenges for children. To mitigate these issues, parents are advised to ensure that their children wear masks when going outside, dress in warm clothing and especially make sure they are adequately covered during the morning and evening hours, he added.
