~Another informative addition to the weekly series of ‘Health is the Ultimate Wealth’ ~

Medica Superspecialty Hospital organised virtual discussion on ‘Winter and your lungs’ to spread awareness on the protective measures that people should take during winter season. The weekly series of ‘Health is the ultimate wealth’ was quite an awakening call for not only the patients of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) but also for those who wish to safeguard themselves from these suffocating diseases. The webinar was hosted by Dr Alok Roy, Chairman Medica group of Hospitals and Chair FICCI Health Services Committee and Dr Arnab Bera MD, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine who thoroughly discussed on when, and how the pulmonary disease can be cured and curtailed right from its preliminary stage.

Dr Arnab Bera addressed on the symptoms that are accelerated during the winter season and gave solutions for the same. Elaborating on the asthma issues, Dr Arnab Bera stated, “The two major lung diseases whose symptoms are accelerated during winter are Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Asthma, a disease which is cyclical in nature as it comes and goes. But what shouldn’t be missed out is that there is a constant need for asthma patients to always use inhaler. If there is a feeling of breathlessness, then one shall consult with their doctors who can later prescribe medicines which help in curtailing and keeping it subliminal. To manage asthma during winter requires a constant need for their patients to wash their hands frequently or using hand sanitizer while out can keep winter illnesses at bay.”

Dr Alok Roy chairman Medica group of Hospitals and Chair FICCI Health Services Committee shared an informative method of reducing the troubles caused by COPD. During the webinar, he averred, “Cigarette smoke is extremely harmful. Hence, one is advised not to smoke as it contains more than 4000 toxic chemicals. So, when a smoker combines their cigarette’s smoke with cold air then the symptoms increase. For people who are habituated with smoking, there are cigarette rehabilitation programs which can help them in quitting

smoking. The period of these programs is 6-12-week. Counselling can also help to cure this habit and dependency. It is advised not to smoke as it damages the protective mucous layer. It is also advised not to do outdoor exercise during winter, as it often causes breathlessness while doing exercise in the cold weather. Lastly, we ask all the COPD patients to avoid air pollutions as long-time exposure to pollution can make people more vulnerable to infections.”

According to Healthline, more than 65 million individuals worldwide suffer from moderate or severe COPD, with scientists predicting that this figure will continue to climb in the next 50 years. And according to National Centre for Biotechnology Information, USA (NCBI), Asthma affects over 300 million individuals globally, and its prevalence rises by 50 percent per decade. This shows the amount of people fighting this breathless battle all around the world. This makes it all the more important to find a solution if not to curb it but a solution which can help us contain it.

About Medica Group of Hospitals:

Medica Group of Hospitals, one of the major and fast-growing chains of hospitals in Eastern India today, has built and managed numerous healthcare facilities across the Eastern region over the past few years. The healthcare chain launched its operations with Medica North Bengal Clinic (MNBC) in Siliguri in 2008 and soon followed up with its flagship Hospital – Medica Superspecialty Hospital (MSH) – in Kolkata in 2010. The group has footprints in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam.