Winter sparks health scare in Patna

PATNA: The gradual drop in temperature has increased the number of patients suffering from winter-related diseases. The doctors have cautioned the residents to pay attention to children and old-aged people as they the most vulnerable during this season. The minimum temperature in Patna dropped below 10 degrees Celsius for the first time this winter on Saturday.
Dr Birendra Kumar, a paediatrician, said allergy due to cold was commonly being noticed among the newborn babies.On being asked about the precautions, he said: “The babies should not be in any way exposed to cold wave. As the temperature dips in the night, they should be covered with blankets to keep them warm.”
Dr Prem Prakash, an eye specialist, listed out the common cases these days. “Cold conjunctivitis, which causes redness in eyes, and eye pain are common problems being faced by people. Blepharitis, which causes inflammation of the eyelid and itching on the eyelashes, is specially noticed in women nowadays. It generally happens due to irregular baths and dry skin,” he said.
Dr Diwakar Tejaswi, a physician, said majority of the patients are children and elderly people. “The most common ailments these days are common cough and cold, flu, itching, asthma, bronchitis, skin eruptions and allergies caused by dust particles,” he said and advised diabetic and those suffering from cardiac issues and blood pressure to avoid morning walk as the heart has to work harder than normal to pump blood during this time.
On being asked about the precautions to be taken in this season, he said: “People of all age groups should take proper flu vaccines. The asthmatics should always keep their inhalers and senior citizens should not get affected by fluctuating temperature.”
Sunaina Devi (79), a resident of Rajeev Nagar, said: “I have been suffering from knee pain for the past many years, but it gets worse during winter. No medicine is effective during this period.”