This Diwali, enjoy the festivities while protecting yourself against Air Pollution

New Delhi/NCR, November 05, 2018:

One of the most celebrated festivals of the year, Diwali is a grand occasion, commemorated on a grandeur scale. The festivities are complete with Laxmi Pooja, rangoli decorations, street food, sweets and bright lights. However with Diwali celebrations around the corner, and the on-going stubble burning, Delhi is being engulfed in toxic smoke. The arrival of winter has led to a drop in temperature, causing the fog to combine with the smoke, resulting in the formation of a less transparent, visible air pollutant i.e. smog. Air quality index is very severe in many places.

Fortis Healthcare’s Dr. Avi Kumar, Consultant – Pulmonolgy, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, advices us on how to celebrate Diwali while effectively combating the air pollution and keeping ourselves protected:

Keep an inhaler within reach: Crackers emit suspended particles (smoke) and toxins gases that can trigger asthma, cause severe headaches, respiratory diseases and chronic cough
Wear a face mask to stay protected from air pollution and dust
Avoid exercise outdoors right after Diwali as the pollutant content will be high in the air; People should avoid going outdoors along with doing physical activities like cycling, jogging or any other outdoor exercises
N95 masks should be used if it is absolutely necessary to go out
Air Purifying plants such as Aloe Vera, Ivy and Spider Plant can be placed in the home and offices
To ensure that indoor air pollution does not take place make sure there is a chimney in the kitchen and an exhaust in the bathroom
Consume Fruits rich in Vitamin C, Magnesium , Foods rich in Omega Fatty Acids
Have Herbal Ginger and Tulsi tea

Quick Tips on healthy eating during Diwali:

Be generous while shopping for nuts, seeds and dried fruits, the same should be consumed in a proportionate manner
Coconut , Jaggery and dark chocolate are healthier options for desserts
Avoid sweets that have a silver coating as they are covered in aluminium which tends to get deposited in the body tissues.
Keep a food diary which will help maintain what you eat during a day.
Nowadays both ‘mithai’ and snacks are available in low-fat, low-sugar and baked versions one should prefer that instead of the traditional sweets.

Some tips on protecting our ears and skin

Wear protective gear such as ear muffs, ear plugs or cotton balls while bursting crackers.
Keep the doors and windows of the house closed while celebrating to block out the unwanted noise.
Create a ‘safe room’: A room which is further away from the rest of the house and where the sound of firecrackers cannot be heard at all.
Wear thick cotton clothes not synthetic material as the latter tends to catch fire easily.
Keep antiseptic and medical equipment’s handy in case of an emergency.
Make sure that water is easily accessible when burning firecrackers, in case there is any mishap.
Always ensure there is a thick blanket present when burning fire crackers so that a person can be padded if they catch fire
Immediately apply a lidocaine to ease the pain of a burn.