Stay Safe This Diwali: Health Tips from Techno India DAMA and Disha Eye Hospitals

Dr. Projoy Kr. Mukherjee Consultant Physician Techno India Group Dama Hospital

Diwali is a festival of lights. It is one of the most awaited festivals of India. But now it has turned out to be a huge source of air pollution and noise pollution. And it has become a huge problem for patients suffering from Bronchial Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Cardiac disorders, etc.

Few advices for leading a healthy as well as safe Diwali are as follows-

• One of the most common health issues which we see during Diwali is burn injuries. This should be prevented by wearing pure cotton clothes as synthetic fabrics catch fire easily. Closed shoes should be worn to avoid any burn injuries of feet. Wearing of any dupattas or any trailing piece of cloth to be avoided while lighting firecrackers.
• Lighting candles or diyas during Diwali can prevent a lot of air pollution. Or people may use colourful LED lights available in markets. Air pollution can lead to irritation of eyes, nose, throat, skin leading to watering of eyes, sneezing, dry cough. It is advisable to stock up medications like nasal spray and anti-allergics. It may also aggravate symptoms of bronchial asthma or COPD causing respiratory distress and may end up in hospital. Patients may use face masks.
• Bursting of green crackers is better than normal crackers as it causes less pollution and also should produce a sound less than 125 dB. As more sound producing crackers can cause hearing loss, headache, anxiety, worsening of hypertension or cardiac diseases, etc.
• It is better to stay indoors specially during the evening hours for patients suffering from Bronchial Asthma, COPD or cardiac disorders as inhaling the gases emitted from fire crackers can aggravate the symptoms. Patients should also keep all the required medications such as inhalers available with them.
•  It is also advisable to avoid doing exercises outdoor during this period of time as pollution levels will be higher.
• It is also recommended to limit outdoor activities of children during this time. If children are bursting green crackers then they must do it under proper supervision of adults to avoid burn injuries.
• Everyone should aim to keeping themselves properly hydrated. Patients suffering from dyslipidemia or ischemic heart diseases should avoid fried items and ghee products. Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus must avoid sweets which we exchange during Diwali. People should have a balanced diet rich with green leafy vegetables, lean proteins and fruits. If people are suffering from indigestion then can take antacids or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) after consulting a doctor.
• Keep Your Precious Eyes Safe During Diwali

Dr. Anchal Mitra, Consultant, Dept. Of Cataract & Corneal Diseases, Disha Eye Hospitals

Diwali is a popular festival, celebrated around the world. It is the time of the year that is all about fabulous lights, sweets and savories, games and gaiety with family and friends. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated on the night of Amavasya in the month of Kartik. India dresses in its festive best and as darkness falls, cities and villages light up resplendently with lamps while firecrackers streak across the sky.

However, amidst all the fervor and excitement, this is also the time when you need to be extra careful about keeping the most delicate yet important part of the body, the eyes, safe. So, remember to keep in mind the following simple but useful measures –

a. If a splinter (or something hot and burning) gets into the eyes, immediately wash with plenty of clean water. Use only clean water. Tap water, drinking water – any clean water will do. You can also apply ice or cold compress if possible. It is important to go to the nearest doctor as quickly as possible. Several eye hospitals keep special night and emergency facilities open during Diwali.

b. Wearing plain spectacles (without “power”) goes a long way in safeguarding your eyes. At times, accidents happen when someone in a spirit of excitement and adventure, attempts to burst crackers in dangerous ways. This is extremely foolish. Often, we receive patients with injuries from bombs bursting under earthen pots and pans and badly hurting the individual. At other times, a cracker fails to go off initially and thereafter someone attempts to light it again, when it explodes suddenly right on the person’s face. These have been the causes of hundreds of serious injuries during Diwali over the years and should be prohibited.

c. Do not cover crackers with glass bottles, tins, boxes, or earthen pots and pans for sound effect or extra impact. They are capable of bursting into tiny pieces and damaging your eyes forever as they fly around in the immediate vicinity. Burst them in an open area under the sky.

d. Do not go near crackers that have failed to explode. Try and quickly extinguish any sparks or shouldering bits that you can see, but from a distance.

e. If you are wearing contact lenses, it is advisable not to watch or burst crackers and fireworks yourself as they may cause irritation to the eyes if exposed to high heat for a long time.

f. In case of an eye injury, remember not to rub your eyes or use home remedies like turmeric powder, coconut oil, etc. in the eye or area around it. If there are any tiny particles inside the eyes, the injury may worsen. Instead, wash your eyes with clean water for about 10 minutes and thereafter consult an Eye Specialist at the earliest.

g. Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly with hand wash or soap after making a rangoli or handling fireworks, and before you touch your eyes. Coloured and chalk powder and chemicals used in crackers and fireworks may cause eye irritation and itchiness and in certain cases, irreparable damage.

h. Even though fireworks look attractive and bright, it is best to stay away from them. Do not let young children light crackers on their own. If they are bursting crackers, there should always be adult supervision and guidance.

i. And finally, keep your ophthalmologist’s and nearest Eye Hospital / Eye Care center’s numbers handy.

These simple precautions will go a long way to ensure safe and happy festivities for you and your loved ones.