Which Air Pollutants Contribute to Asthma?

There are sudden changes in weather and season nowadays. Hence, different types of diseases have evolved. Signs and symptoms are listed to the public. But there are some confusions because of misleading and incomplete information. Asthma is a common condition of the respiratory system characterized by bronchial smooth muscle spasm, airway inflammation, and mucous plugging of the airways. In this article, you’ll learn about one of the most common symptoms, asthma: causes, signs, and management.

WHAT IS ASTHMA?

Asthma is a chronic disease that targets the airways. These airways become inflamed due to foreign particles that leads to narrowing of the bridges resulting in shortness of breathing. Aside from inflammation, there can be mucous that blocks the airways. There is no age limit for this condition, and it can happen as early as childhood. One reason for asthma is that some pollutants stimulate the movement of air inside the body. Childhood asthma may be likely due to genetic influence, while early adulthood may be due to environmental factors. It can be managed with some medications to live an everyday life, but as for now, there is really no permanent cure for it.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA?

Asthma can happen to any age group and gender. Early detection and management can prolong life, but mismanagement can be really dangerous. Here are the signs and symptoms of asthma that can help you detect it to yourself and someone. Symptoms are usually worse at night and in the early morning in response to cold air or too many movements. Some people with asthma rarely experience symptoms, usually in response to triggers, whereas others may react frequently and readily and experience persistent symptoms.

🫁 Frequent coughing and wheezing – This may be dry or with mucous.

💨 shortness of breath – This shows breathlessness while talking.

🫁 Chest pain and tightness – There is heavy pressure on your chest.

💨 Fatigue or feeling tired after minimal movements – Always feeling tired after a slight walk, talk, or movement.

🫁 Colds and allergies ( runny nose, too much sneezing, sore throat ) – Sudden allergy attack.

💨 Difficulty of sleeping with only one pillow – May experience drowning-like while sleeping with one pillow.

🫁 Fast heartbeat – Feeling nervous all the time.

💨 Lips and fingers are turning light to dark blue – This may cause too much oxygen inside that it’s hard to exhale it.

🫁 Drowsiness and fainting – Low oxygen and blood supply may cause nausea, drowsiness, and fainting.

AIR POLLUTANTS THAT TRIGGER ASTHMA

Many environmental factors have been associated with asthma’s development and exacerbation, including allergens, air pollution, and other chemicals. Two important factors trigger asthma: the ozone and pollution. Let’s dissect each.

1. OZONE

Ozone is a gas that is so irritating to the lungs, and it is lethal, especially in its purest form. How can you determine ozone smell? This gas has a very pungent distinction and likes a burnt metal smell. It also has a chlorine-like odor and is detectable by many people at concentrations of as little as in the air. Ozone can narrow the airways causing shortness of breathing that can lead to chest pain.

There are two types of ozone: good and bad ozone. Good ozone is the one that protects humans, animals, and plants from radiation. Harmful ozone takes place near the surface of the Earth due to chemical reactions and human activities that give rise to polluting gases. It has high concentrations in the stratosphere, where it absorbs ultraviolet rays that are very damaging to health. It is a powerful oxidant with high levels of respiratory hazard and pollutant at ground level.

2. POLLUTION

Pollution of the atmosphere and the air around us is air pollution, becoming more widespread every day. Air pollution is the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living creatures. Several main types of air pollution include smog, acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and holes in the ozone layer. The types are extremely dangerous to the health and could result in serious damage.

💨 smog is a combination of smoke and fog that causes zero visibility in the eyes. This results from heavy chemical fumes in the environment and creates dark fog.

💨 Acid rain is very harmful to health because it contains sulfuric or nitric acid that may damage plants, humans, aquatic resources, and infrastructures. Nitrogen is expelled from high-temperature combustion and also during thunderstorms by electric discharge. Sulfur can be found on volcanoes and in various industrial processes.

💨 Ozone depletion is one of the most prevalent issues worldwide because this is about the “holes” of the ozone layer. This results from some infrastructures producing harmful gases that can contribute to this phenomenon.

💨 Greenhouse effect is another important issue in air pollution. The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat and energy due to the gases that form a barrier in the atmosphere. The gases will let heat in but will not let all heat out. This is similar to what happens in a greenhouse.

HOW TO MANAGE AND AVOID THESE POLLUTANTS?

Low air quality from environmental factors such as traffic pollution or high ozone levels has been associated with asthma development and severity. Exposure to these or even indoor pollutants positively affects both children and adults. Indoor allergens and pollutants may include dust mites, cockroaches, animal or pets fur, perfumes and pesticides, and molds.

• AIR STERILIZER

Air pollution will be most helped by utilizing air sterilizers. It purifies it by passing the air through nine stages of filters. After that, the air sterilizer provides clean air. If the air sterilizer is used in many places, the air quality will slowly improve. The air sterilizer will work because it was made to clean air. This will take in fine dust, smoke, and chemicals in the air and purifies, clean it.

• HUMIDIFIER

This will surely surprise you. Humidifiers can not only be used as a therapy but also can help clean the air. This adds moisture to the air because too much dryness can irritate the throat and induce cough leading to asthma. There are also available essential oils with an antibacterial property that can surely make the air clean.

• DEHUMIDIFIER

Too much moisture in the air can cause the building up of molds and spores that can turn into more severe complications. If there’s a humidifier that minimizes the air dryness, there’s also an appliance that lessens the moisture to air called a “dehumidifier.” This can help in areas where humidity is high.

Note: Don’t forget to clean the clothes that Have Been Exposed to Mold Spores.

• ACTIVATED CARBON

Activated carbon or charcoal is the universal antidote in the medical field. It is used to purify liquids and gases because of having a small volume of pores that can filter things. It adsorbs particles that can cause lag or delay to certain passageways in the body.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Is asthma congenital?

There are studies that asthma is hereditary. A person has a greater chance of developing asthma if the parents also have it. But even though no one in the family has asthma, you can still trigger it by exposing yourself to some pollutants and allergens.

2. Is there a permanent cure for asthma?

There’s currently no cure for asthma, but you can still manage and control it to avoid complications and live everyday life.

3. Are there natural ways to control asthma?

There are natural remedies for asthma. These include breathing techniques, garlic and ginger for anti-inflammatory, honey for cough and colds, omega three or fish oil for healthy liver, heart, and lungs, and lastly, avoid stress. Stress can induce asthma because it can tighten your chest, causing difficulty breathing.

FINAL WORDS

Breathing is the process of gas exchange with the lungs and internal environment. For asthmatic patients, breathing exercises are one of the old ways of controlling asthma. There are also over-the-counter medications like bronchodilators. This helps relieve bronchial spasms that narrow the airways. Stress is also an essential factor that triggers asthma. The best way to manage this condition is to avoid the allergens and pollutants that trigger it. Human activity and natural processes can generate air pollution, a significant risk factor for many pollution-related diseases. Lastly, always maintain cleanliness. Because indoor pollutants may come from the trashes in your house. This may cause virus and bacteria build-up. Stay clean, stay healthy!