Air Pollution Related Illnesses You Should Know About

Clean air is a basic precondition of our health. However, most of the people in United States and other developed countries suffer from exposure to many air pollutants that put our health at risk. Air pollution affects our health in different ways from simple to serious problems. For example, particulate matter in the air decreases life expectancy according to many researchers; Pollutants such as ozone irritate people’s breathing, trigger asthma symptoms and cause lung and heart diseases; exposure to environmental tobacco smoke causes many severe respiratory health problems such as asthma and lung cancer. Prolonged exposure to certain air pollutants can even cause human infertility according to recent medical researches on air pollution.

Nowadays, scientists have discovered a lot of heart and respiratory diseases related to air pollution; the most common are:

Minor Respiratory Diseases - The best known is the cold, accompanied by symptoms such as sore throats, congestion and runny nose, cough and sometimes irritation of eyes.

Respiratory tract Infections – the most common are bronchitis and pneumonia, caused by viruses or bacteria. They are characterized by cough, fever, chills and dyspnea (difficulty breathing).

Asthma - Asthma attacks can be triggered by various factors, including physical activity, infections, exposure to pollen, allergies and stress. They can also be triggered by sensitivity to non-allergenic pollutants in the air such as smog.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - It includes two main troubles: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is a chronic infection characterized by injuries and loss of elasticity in the alveoli. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the lining cells inside the airways, which increases the risk of infection and blockage of the entry and exit of air from the lungs. While other forms of air pollution can affect the development of these diseases, Smoking is responsible for about 80% of cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Lung Cancer - It is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women and men. Cigarette smoke contains various carcinogens and is behind most cases of this fatal disease. Lung cancer typically doesn't cause signs and symptoms in its earliest stages. When the disease is advanced the symptoms of chronic cough, loss of appetite, wheezing and chest pain can occur. Scientists have discovered a connection between air pollution and lung cancer.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) - disorders of the coronary arteries that are characterized by a narrowing or blockage of arteries or blood vessels carrying blood and oxygen to the heart. Cigarette Smoke (including second hand smoke), lack of exercise, obesity, high cholesterol, family history of coronary artery disease and hypertension (high blood pressure) are the main factors of this medical disorder.

Heart failure – is a problem that occurs when the heart is unable to do its job, carry blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. The most common cause is a serious disease of the coronary artery. It can also be triggered by a sensitivity to non-allergenic pollutants in the air. The main symptoms are shortness of breath and swollen ankles and feet.

Heart Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat) - consists of irregular or abnormal heartbeat. In some cases, arrhythmia is the result of coronary artery disease. It can also be triggered by sensitivity to pollutants in the air. The symptoms of arrhythmia are palpitations in the chest and dizziness. Certain types of arrhythmia are dangerous and require emergency medical treatment.

What can you do to prevent yourself from being a victim of air pollution?

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