Cold-induced diseases increasing

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Nepalgunj, Jan. 9: Cold wave has affected normal life in Banke and Bardiya districts in Lumbini Province. Local health facilities have reported an increase in the number of patients suffering from cold-related diseases.

Hospitals have reported that the number of people suffering from cold has significantly increased due to the continuous cold wave. According to doctors, more than 300 people who are sick with cold are reaching hospitals and clinics for treatment on a daily basis. 

According to the Banke Health Office, the number of patients visiting various hospitals and clinics in Nepalgunj and Kohalpur with the problems of cold, diarrhoea, pneumonia, asthma, fever and bronchitis is increasing.

Naresh Shrestha, officer of Health Office Banke, said that in last one week, the number of patients with flu infection caused by cold has gone up again.

M. Kidwai, Director of Nepalgunj Teaching Hospital, said that most of the children visiting the hospital are found suffering from common cold, fever, and measles while the elderly have suffered skin  allergies, cold diarrhea, asthma and fever. 

With the plunge in mercury, the number of patients visiting Bheri Hospital with problems such as fever, cold, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing is swelling. 

More than 150 people are visiting the hospital with cold-caused disease, said Dr. Sanket Kumar Risal, information officer at Bheri Hospital. He said that many patients complain of having sore throat, difficulty in breathing and other chest-related problems.

Patients from rural areas, women who cook food with fire for a long time, and elderly people over 60 years of age who smoke tobacco, were found to be affected more due to cold, said Risal.

According to doctors, about 60 per cent of the patients who come to the hospital are sick due to cold. As drop in temperature could cause health problems ranging from simple to complex, doctors have suggested that the body be protected from cold as much as possible.

Dr. Prakash Nag, a senior physician, said that people having chronic diseases should protect themselves from cold.  “It is better to protect yourself from cold as much as possible, as the cold heightens infections,” said Dr. Nag.