Experts warn that desert dust coming to Turkey via Syria affects many cities in recent days. Speaking about the desert dust covering the skies of Istanbul in the past days, Specialist from Istanbul Training and Research Hospital Chest Diseases Department. Dr. Özlem Ceyran gave information about the effects of dust on citizens.
“DO NOT GO OUT UNLESS VERY NECESSARY”
Warning against the effects of desert dust, citizens should not leave the house unless necessary. Dr. Özlem Ceyran said, “Desert dust poses a major problem especially in our chronic lung disease patients with COPD and asthma. Inorganic compounds, bacteria, fungi, molds carried by these dusts cause the symptoms of patients to increase and even to hospitalization. For this reason, these patients need to take care of themselves, protect themselves and use their medicines regularly during this period. We recommend that they do not go outside unless it is necessary as much as possible. If they are at home, they must keep the doors and windows closed to prevent the entry of dust. If they are going out for sure, then they should use high-protection masks and minimize the dust they breathe in that way.”
CAN GO TO DEATH
Explaining that desert dust causes worsening in the condition of patients with respiratory disorders and processes leading to death, Uzm. Dr. Ceyran said: “It causes an increase in allergic symptoms in patients with allergic asthma. Likewise, it is known that it causes increased shortness of breath, lung infections, hospitalizations and even death in allergic asthma and COPD patients. These particles are carried in some bacteria, since these patients already have low respiratory function capacity, this capacity decreases further in any lung infection. It causes the patient to be admitted to the intensive care unit or to death. Not only lead, but also iron, aluminum, silica particles are all carried in the same way by these dust particles. Both brain and lung functions can affect many things in the body, so it is best not to be exposed. Patients need to use their medications very regularly. If they notice an increase in their symptoms in any way, maybe the drug doses need to be rearranged. Apart from that, the most important thing is mask and being at home. It causes serious problems in patients with chronic respiratory problems, those with cardiovascular disease, and also in children. For us, the most important ones are asthma and COPD, we see the most problems in them.
“THE LUNG DAMAGE IN CHILDREN MAY BE GREATER”
Speaking about the effects of desert dust on children, Exp. Dr. Ceyran said, “Since the respiratory tract is not developed very well, the lung development is less, and the damage to the lung may be greater. That’s why it makes the most sense not to take the children outside as much as possible and to stay at home. If such complaints occur, especially shortness of breath, wheezing, wheezing, they should definitely apply to a health institution. In those with allergic asthma, allergic complaints may increase with these particles as allergens are carried. It may be necessary to add additional medication,” he said.