Tips to Protect Yourself from Air Pollution

Air pollution is becoming a major health problem that affects millions of people world-wide. Air Pollution is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air. Air pollution mainly affects respiratory system causing breathing difficulties and lung diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia and lung cancer. As air pollution levels rise, people with lung conditions are at higher risk of becoming ill and needing treatment. If you have a lung condition, high levels of pollution can also cause an exacerbation of your symptoms, such as an asthma attack or a COPD flare-up. Here are some simple, effective tips for protecting you and your family from the dangers of air pollution-

Avoid morning walks, garden exercises and outdoor activities when pollution levels are high. Keep doing your exercise indoors in a well-ventilated room or gym.
Limit the amount of time your child spends playing outdoors if the air quality is unhealthy.
Use of anti-pollution masks can protect you from outdoor air pollution to some extent
Stay away from heavy polluted area like main roads and crowded or high traffic area.
Keep humidity levels under 50 percent. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner, as needed.
Use indoor Air Purifying plants like Spider Plants, Snake Plants, Aloe Vera, Elephant Ears, Bamboo Palms, Rubber Plants etc.
Use Home air purifiers with HEPA filters
Make sure proper ventilation in your kitchen and bathroom. While outdoor air pollution is a concern, indoor air pollution can be harmful.
Avoid traveling in an open vehicle or with your car windows down.
Consume foods with more vitamin C, omega 3 fatty acid, and magnesium.
Jaggery (Gudd) can flush out pollutants from lungs. It can be consumed after meals or can be used as a replacement for sugar.

If you find your condition is getting worse, or if you’re getting wheezy or coughing from walking outside, get in touch with your doctor. Everyone should try to reduce their contribution to air pollution.

Source: British Lung Foundation & American Lung Association

Comments

Diagnosis of Celiac disease

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease where the lining of the small intestine is damaged by exposure to gluten (a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley and oats) in genetically predisposed children and adults. The reaction to gluten causes inflammation and atrophy of intestinal lining, which can lead to malabsorption of nutrients and related health issues. The diagnosis of Celiac disease is classically based on a combination of findings from a patient’s clinical history, serologic testing and duodenal biopsies. SEROLOGY TEST: Serologic tests are for screening purposes and do not confirm the diagnosis of coeliac disease. Serologic tests for celiac disease include anti-transglutaminase IgA & IgG antibody, anti-endomysium IgA antibody, and Deamidated Gliadin Peptide IgA & IgG antibodies. The serologic tests that check for IgA antibodies are more sensitive for celiac disease than the tests for IgG antibodies. However, in people who have IgA deficiency, IgG tests ma

Hepatitis Markers

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. It is commonly the result of a viral infection (hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E), but there are other possible causes of hepatitis like autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary to medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Hepatitis markers (Antigens, Antibodies & PCR) are useful for determining diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and vaccination status and for monitoring treatment. Viral Hepatitis Markers: Hepatitis A virus-IgM Antibodies (anti-HAV IgM) : Serum IgM antibody to the hepatitis A virus (antiHAV) appears at about four weeks after initial infection and usually persists for 2-6 months as the initial phase of the immune response. (Test code H018) Hepatitis A virus-IgG Antibodies (anti-HAV IgG) : Serum IgG antibody to HAV generally persists for lifetime, conferring immunity to further HAV infection. (Test code H017) Hepatitis A virus-Total Antibodies (Anti-HAV-Total Ab) : The total HAV antibody test detect

Mucorales RT-PCR: A potential game changer in diagnosis of Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis refers to severe infectious diseases that are caused by filamentous fungi of the Mucorales order that primarily affect immunocompromised patients and patients with diabetes mellitus. Recently, an increasing incidence has been reported among COVID-19 patients in India. The most common genera in invasive mucormycosis are Rhizopus, Rhizomucor, Lichtheimia and Mucor, accounting for 90% of all cases. Clinically and radiographically, mucormycosis is often indistinguishable from other invasive fungal infections such as aspergillosis and remains difficult to diagnose. A definitive diagnosis of mucormycosis typically requires histopathological evidence or positive fungal culture from a specimen from the site of infection, which may be difficult to obtain in some patients. A molecular diagnostic approach, detecting circulating DNA of Mucorales (by PCR) in serum of patients, may help to diagnose invasive mucormycosis more quickly and to introduce directed therapy earlier and eventual

Accuprobe Awareness

Search This Blog