Experts issue health advisory ahead of festivals

On the eve of Diwali, health experts advised people with existing lifestyle diseases to take necessary precautions to ensure a healthy and prosperous festivity. They claimed that an increased consumption of sweets and fried delicacies, late night celebration with family and friends, the pollution and noise caused by firecrackers can prove to be life-threatening for patients with existing lifestyle diseases.

Talking about the excessive unhealthy food consumption during Diwali, Sant Parmanand Hospital CMO Bikas Singh said: “Sweets consumed during Diwali are usually made of vanaspati ghee which is very high in trans fat and which reduces good cholesterol in the body and increases bad cholesterol.”

Explaining about its adverse effects, health experts said that this could cause an increase in one’s blood pressure and subsequently stress out the heart. All these can lead to an added risk of heart attacks, heart failures, and sudden cardiac arrests in people with existing heart ailments and blockages.

Experts claimed that those suffering from lifestyle disorders like diabetes are at a higher risk of developing complications related to their disorders brought on by the sudden onslaught of high-calorie intake coupled with exertion.

Experts also warned that high air pollution levels can cause immediate and severe health hazards. “Children and elderly people are especially vulnerable to the detrimental health effects of ozone, fine particulate matter, and other airborne toxicants. So, it is always advisable to use mask while driving or running so that you will not inhale polluted air. Also, if your homes are in the extreme polluted areas, you can use air purifier at your homes to get rid of the polluted air. Most importantly, if you are already an asthmatic patient, always carry your inhaler with you,” said the senior consultant of pulmonology at the Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute (PSRI) Hospital, Dr Pankaj Sayal.

Experts also advised a safe approach to prevent injuries to eyes. “Every year, despite spreading awareness about precautions to be taken, the cases of eye injuries are ever increasing. Out of the total, 70 per cent of the injured persons are kids below 15 years of age. Eye is the most vital organ of our body and even the smallest injury to it could lead to loss of vision. Parents have an important role in keeping an eye on their kids during Diwali celebrations to avoid any mishaps,” said the chairman and medical director at the Centre for Sight Group of Eye Hospitals, Dr Mahipal Sachdev.