How does air pollution affect your breathing?

Introduction

Air pollution can cause breathlessness and affect breathing by irritating the respiratory passage, leading to worse episodes of asthma. It may be tough for patients to get adequate oxygen for their breathing.

Health effects like asthma and its symptoms can be avoided by carefully monitoring air pollution levels. The potential substances and environment that triggers asthma attacks should be avoided to keep asthma symptoms like wheezing and breathlessness away.  

Air pollution and asthma

Air pollution has been proven harmful for anyone and it is even worse if you have asthma. Two-thirds of asthmatics admit to having worse asthma when exposed to poor air quality and a polluted environment. Both purple and pink inhalers are available on Genericvilla along with other effective medications used against asthma.

Air pollution is capable of irritating the airways of the patients. It has the potential of making a few asthma symptoms like wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest even worse. Patients may be required to use their reliever inhalers quite often.

Harmful air pollution substances that trigger asthma

Air pollution may contain certain toxic substances that can be extremely harmful to the patient’s respiratory tract. It may increase the oxidative stress in patients and may contribute to episodes of severe asthma. This can cause damage to the tissue, aggravating the airways in a person.

Another air pollutant known as ozone may also increase the discomfort of asthma patients. It may target and cause a reduction in lung function and make it difficult for the patients to breathe comfortably.

Air pollution may also influence asthmatics through power generation and traffic, both of these being essential sources of air pollution. It may be tough to manage living with asthma treatments but lifestyle and suitable medications can help.

How can the risks of breathlessness from air pollution be lowered?

• Manage asthma and its symptoms with the use of a preventer inhaler.
• Don’t forget to check the forecast for air pollution in your area.
• Junctions, bus stops, car parks, and main roads are the source of higher air pollution, and avoiding them for a longer time can help.
• Keep your reliever inhaler handy so that the emergency symptoms of asthma can be managed rapidly.
• Consult your doctor if you are required to use reliever inhalers more than three times in one week to combat symptoms.

Common asthma triggers to avoid

Asthma patients have inflamed airways and there are certain conditions or “triggers” that may bother them. They are:

Allergies: Allergic asthma can take place when exposed to substances like pollen, molds, cockroaches, dust mites, rodents, etc.

Physical activity: Exercising too much and that too amidst cold air triggers asthma attacks. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is also common in asthma patients which can be increased with exhaustive physical workouts. Patients need to be careful with exercise-induced asthma treatment.

Air irritants: Most people may not be influenced by air irritants-related environmental concerns. However, air irritants like cigarette smoke, charcoal grills, wood fires, strong fumes, chemicals, and dust particles trigger asthma attacks. Airborne irritants and elements of air pollution can make asthmatics uncomfortable.

Other health concerns: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), food allergies, COPD, sleep apnea, food sulfites, anaphylaxis, GERD, obesity, pregnancy, nasal polyps, respiratory infections, influenza, and sore throats may also trigger asthma symptoms.

Weather: Sudden changes in weather, cold air, or dry wind may bring in more problems for asthma patients.

Emotions: Feelings and emotions such as fear, anger, laughter, excitement, crying, or yelling may also make asthma worse in a few patients.

Medications: A few times, medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or beta-blockers may also lead to episodes of asthma.

What triggers asthma attacks – Survey and research findings

According to a study conducted in 2017, it was found that asthma was witnessed on onset with patients exposed to TRAP components. Another study proved that air pollution is responsible for increasing asthma symptoms even when there is no exposure of the patient to viral infection. As per another study in Denmark, it was concluded children, after being exposed to PM2.5 at its highest capacity, developed health concerns like asthma and wheezing more.

How to monitor the quality of air if I have asthma?

EPA is known for monitoring the quality of air the AQI, also known as the Air Quality Index. Air pollution levels can also be warned through local newspapers or weather forecasters. AQI levels may increase and in the United States, those are the days of health concern, hence they are declared as Action Days.

Which climate makes asthma worse?

Sudden changes in the weather or extremely cold or hot and humid conditions can make asthma worse. Thunderstorms and cold and dry air may also be a concern for asthmatics. It may possibly cause irritation in the airways.

What substances may contribute to indoor air pollution for asthma patients?

Construction work within the house, tobacco, heating system, central cooling, personal care, moisture, radon, and pesticides may be major sources of indoor pollution. These may affect asthma patients and cause airway inflammation leading to uncomfortable symptoms of asthma.

When should you consult a doctor?

Discuss with your doctor if you are required to increase the dose of medicine when the air pollution is comparatively on the higher side.

If you are an asthma patient, you know it is time to call your healthcare professional when you are:

• Feeling dizzy
• Finding it difficult to perform your daily tasks
• Struggling with cough and wheezing disrupts your lifestyle, makes you uncomfortable, doesn’t go away easily, and is slightly different from the usual breathing pattern.

Pink asthma inhaler

Pink asthma inhalers can normally be used for long-term management of asthma. Pink asthma inhalers usually contain substances like Budesonide and Formoterol, which work as a substitute for Symbicort. It can help prevent COPD or asthma symptoms.

Purple asthma inhaler

Purple asthma inhaler combines Fluticasone (corticosteroid targeting airway inflammation) and Salmeterol (bronchodilator for promoting comfortable breathing).  It is not to be used for rapid relief against asthma. It is rather used daily as a preventer inhaler.

Summary

Asthmatics must take special care in combating indoor and outdoor air pollution. They must update and educate themselves regarding the different levels of air pollution. In case they feel that their asthma has been progressing to its worst stage, contacting a healthcare professional is the first step to undertake in such circumstances.

PUBLISHED BY

Mary Hill Dr. Marry Hill is one of the amongst and best urologists and content writer, who has treated hundreds of USA as well as international patients. She loves to write content based on Men’s Health problems like Erectile Dysfunction and Sexual Disorders. You can connect on Twitter: @maryhil14623979. View all posts by Mary Hill