Poll campaign speeches lead to asthma attacks

Hyderabad: Over 20 candidates from various political parties, who have been campaigning in the elections, have visited pulmonologists in the city complaining of breathlessness, tightening sensation in the chest and constant cough. Considering the long hours candidates spend making speeches in hot and dusty conditions, this is not surprising.

On the eve of World Asthma Day, observed on May 6, chest specialists claim that this week, several high-profile patients have complained of the above mentioned symptoms.

Senior pulmonologist at Yashoda Hospitals Dr P. Navneet Sagar Reddy says excessive talking can lead to cough and breathing difficulty. “This is because the airways are subjected to too much stress. Some patients have walked in with severe coughing, breathlessness and also sleeplessness.

Most of the politicians who have sought help at various city hospitals are in the age-group of 40 to 50 years; three were above 65. They have been advised rest and medication. A senior doctor explained, “Five of the cases were known asthmatics, who suffer from attacks every winter. But this year, they are experiencing episodes in summer due to their work.”

Dr C. Vijay Kumar, interventional pulmonologist at American Oncology Institute says constantly inhaling air through the mouth while talking does not allow one to breathe through the nose and this puts strain on the lungs.

“After the first line of treatment, it is important for them to get evaluated as it could recur in a major form,” he said. Experts also said that exposure to allergens like chemical irritants, tobacco smoke, dust, mold, pollen as well as drugs like aspirin can lead to inflammation in the nose membranes inducing asthma attack. Dr Ravindra Nallagonda, pulmonologist, Global Hospitals, said, “Asthma triggered by allergens is a common ailment. It is important to understand the risk of allergens as often ignorance allows the disease to grow.”