KARACHI:Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed its concern about the health of the people of northeastern areas of Pakistan, particularly residents of the federal capital and its periphery areas, who face serious problems at the onset of the change of season, due to the increase of pollen concentration in the air.
Secretary General, Pakistan Medical Association (Centre), Dr SM Qaisar Sajjad, said the pollen allergy had been such a serious issue that causes hay fever and creates problem to the people suffering from upper and lower respiratory diseases.
He explained that hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat. Pollen is a fine powder from plants. Hay fever is usually worse when the pollen count is high in the atmosphere. Its symptoms are a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, itchy eyes and throat, headache, sneezing, shortness of breath which can be complicated.
He suggested that people suffering from pollen allergies must remember the timings of rise and fall of pollen count during the day. Pollen is in low concentration from 10am to around 5pm and in high concentration from 5am to 10am and again from around 5 pm to midnight.
He said people sensitive to the pollen allergy must stay indoors before 10am and after 5pm during the pollen season and if they have to go outdoors they must have wear the face masks.
He urged the people to take balanced diet, plenty of water and sleep for six to eight hours daily. People should Visit their physicians as soon they find any symptoms. Pollen allergy must not be taken lightly because mild symptoms may suddenly worsen and cause death within 10 minutes.