Fog disrupts life in Lahore

Fog has not only slowed down routine life in the provincial metropolis, but health problems, particularly for old people and children, are also being aggravated.
For the last three days, fog is covering Lahore in the morning making weather more chilly. Due to fog, routine activities are starting after about 11am. Even attendance in different schools remained thin due to foggy weather.
Maximum temperature in Lahore was 17.0 degrees on Thursday, while minimum 2.8 degrees.
According to the meteorological office, fog would continue on Friday with partly cloudy weather. The Met office has forecast snowfall over hills and thunderstorms in Rawalpindi division.
Health experts told Business Recorder here on Thursday, children and old people are worst affected due to the present dry weather, as they are suffering from respiratory problems caused by their exposure to cold weather.
"The absence of sunlight caused deficiency of vitamin D-3 in children, which resulted in poor growth of their bones. Similarly, old people, especially those suffering from arthritis, should adopt ultra pre-cautionary measures during chilly conditions," they said.
Professor Dr Saqib Saeed, associate professor of chest medicines, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, said those facing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary problem should confine themselves to four walls of their houses in the prevalent foggy conditions.
"If it was unavoidable to come out of homes, they should specifically muffle their necks and chests before stepping out," he said.
To a question, Professor Saqib Saeed said gas heaters are also a cause of cough, particularly among children. He advised exposure to steam which, according to him, is the best cure for any cold-related complexity.
Leading skin specialist, Professor Dr Atif Husnain Kazmi told this scribe chilblain was the most common phenomenon during the season. Reddening of nose and other parts of body, itching and overflowing of injuries were symptoms of chill blisters, he added.
In addition, dandruff, frost bite, particularly in Northern Areas, dry and wet eczema, epidemic of dry scabies, which could get out of control at nights, pediculosis (lices) and fungus, all were related to acute cold weather conditions, he stated.
ENT specialist, Professor Dr Mubarak Ali, said treatment of respiratory problem did not lie in taking strong anti-biotics, but in the adequate cure through precautionary measures. He warned people to abstain from drinking cold drinks as it may cause many throat problems.
High concentration of sulphate in air is linked with high mortality rate and is a major cause of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, he added.