UAE | Health
Allergies and asthma cases rise significantly
Hospitals and clinics have witnessed a significant increase in cases of allergies, bronchial asthma and viral infections in the last few weeks, with medical experts putting the increase at between 10 and 15 per cent and terming it "significant".
- By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:03 July 20, 2009
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- Hay fever is the common illness that accompanies dust storms.
Dubai: Hospitals and clinics have witnessed a significant increase in cases of allergies, bronchial asthma and viral infections in the last few weeks, with medical experts putting the increase at between 10 and 15 per cent and terming it "significant".
Doctors who spoke to Gulf News attributed this increase in number of patients to changing weather patterns in the UAE in the last two weeks.
"We had patients coming to the hospital with [complaints of] itching throat, running eyes, shortness of breath and with various allergies," said Dr Abdul Rahman Mohammad, acting medical director of Welcare Hospital in Dubai.
"There has been a slight increase in their numbers. In my opinion those people who suffer allergies are the best judges of their own condition. For example, I have come across patients who inform me that they do not suffer form dust allergies in the month of September but their condition gets worse in the month of May," he said.
"The dust storm that blew across the UAE came from the borders of Iran-Iraq and in all probability carried illnesses from the place of its origin. Hay fever is the common illness that accompanies dust storms. This is because hay fever is seasonal and occurs in dusty conditions. In this the patients not only suffer from allergies but also run a temperature. In normal allergies, the patients do not have fever. By far the best advice one could give to those who suffer from dust allergies is to stay indoors and try not to venture out as far as possible," said Dr Mohammad.
Dr Ashok Kapoor from Getwell Medical Centre echoed the views. According to him, there has been an increase in patients with allergy-related complaints and asthmatic bronchitis at his hospital in the last few months.
Viral infections can aggravate asthmatic problems, he added.
"There has been a 10 to 15 per cent increase in these types of patients. Dust itself is responsible in this regard. Nearly five to eight per cent of the population suffers from hay fever which is due to pollen and dusty weather. People generally should report these symptoms and get the allergens treated but they largely go unreported. If it is in the form of bronchial asthma, the infection continues. Treatment has to be with antibiotics," said Dr Kapoor.
Avoiding venturing out in dusty conditions, wearing masks, keeping carpets, airconditioning ducts and upholstery clean are among simple precautions, he said.
Has your health suffered due to the recent sandstorms? What precautions do you take to avoid any diseases?
Your comments
that is true, i am feeling itching in throat and sort of infection in skin ( but only for few minutes and dissappears). this is happening only at evening time.
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 21, 2009, 12:06
Hello there,
These symptoms are caused by allergies to molds:
Cold like symptoms
Coughing and sore throat or throat irritation
Sneezing and sneezing fits
Runny nose
Blocked nose, sinus congestion
Difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath
Headaches from sinus
Irritated, itchy skin, rashes on skin
Watery, red, bloodshot, itchy eyes
Hair loss, baldness
Even a person who is not initially allergic to mold can develop allergies from prolonged exposure to mold. Because exposure to mold allergens is cumulative, a person's allergic reactions can build up so they grow more severe with each successive exposure to mold.
I wish if I could say more about Molds but atleast the above information should be enough for people to identify what can be the problem due to the allergy they have.
Many thanks,
Valentin
Valentin Gaburov
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 21, 2009, 11:42
Yes , immensely suffered due to the recent sandstorms - mainly with hay fever , breathing difficulties, and the worst is itching throat that made me feel feverish the whole day...I stopped doing any kind of dusting at home + avoid going out as much as possible, if need be I go out with nose and mouth covered with a handkerchief
Bindiya.K
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 21, 2009, 11:38
I feel it is true. I too face the same problems. I thought it is due to some other reason than what has reported in the article earlier but it is not. I am based in Abu Dhabi and there is no such sandstorm last week. But the reason might be my exposure to a roadside construction dust. Thus, I would like to share with the public my experience on last week in Abu Dhabi. I face two days the dusty environment while walking (from my office to home) along the construction road side of Abu Dhabi Municipality (Blathiya)where the Municipality carpark constructions are in place. The constructioners used the compressor to blow up the dust on the carpark area for their final coat of asphalt laying work, it makes the whole area/surrounding dusty.
Yousuf
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 21, 2009, 08:53
Yes indeed, my brother and I are suffering from episodes of asthma attacks due to changing of climate and due to dust that we inhale daily due to sandstorm.
E-Jay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 21, 2009, 08:16
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