Breathing Easy During Diwali

Just as people are yet to recover from the Navratri celebrations, Diwali is on the cards. India, being the land of festivals, brings so much joy to the people. We should all celebrate the festivals with full enthusiasm, but also take care of ourselves. We all know what happened during Navratri. There were so many cases of sore throats due to the dust that was flying around. So it is important that we celebrate Diwali with extra care.

Why to care

With crackers bursting around, there is a sudden increase in air pollution. The smoke from the crackers has harmful pollutants such as particles PM2.5 and PM10, sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

PM10s are particles with diameters of 10 micrometers or less. These particles can cause irritation in the eyes, nose, or throat. Whereas PM2.5 particles are more harmful because they are smaller in diameter and therefore can reach parts of the body where PM10 cannot, such as the lungs and bloodstream.

Sulphur dioxide, in addition to irritating the nose and throat, can also cause shortness of breath.

Nitrogen dioxide is bound to worsen health conditions like asthma and respiratory tract infections and can even lead to heart attacks.

Who needs extra care?

People already living with respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) need to be extra careful. The increased level of smog during Diwali can either alleviate or trigger symptoms like difficulty breathing, wheezing, or coughing.

So how do I celebrate Diwali safely?

There are a number of ways, with the help of which, you can celebrate Diwali with minimal threat to your health.

• The foremost thing to do is to place extra emphasis on eco-friendly firecrackers. We all know it is not entirely possible to celebrate Diwali with eco-friendly crackers. But we can try to maximize the use of eco-friendly firecrackers as much as we can. It is safer for you, your family, and the environment.
• If you are someone suffering from a respiratory condition, it is advised not to go out when the fireworks are at their peak and pollution is at its highest. This can have an adverse effect on your health.
• It is also recommended that you use indoor air purifiers that can filter out pollutants from the air so you can breathe better.
• If you are suffering from a respiratory condition or you feel any of the symptoms, like wheezing or shortness of breath, consult your pulmonologist as soon as possible. For people suffering, it is advised to have a checkup with your pulmonologist before the festival so that they can provide the required advice and prepare you better for the festival.

In short, celebrate Diwali with full enthusiasm. Let the festival of lights bring a new light into your life. But be careful and take extra care while celebrating. Let the festival be joyous for all.

Aadicura wishes you and your family a very happy, safe, and prosperous Diwali!

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