people proactively prevent disease

Air pollution causes health problems

This morning, March 10, the air monitoring application of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment recorded that the air quality in the North was generally at the red and purple thresholds. The monitoring results at 9:00 a.m. posted on the website of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment showed that there was one area with bad air quality, which was Xuan Mai town (Chuong My district), with an AQI of 173.

There are 5 areas at the poor level, including: Van Ha commune (Dong Anh district), AQI index at 144, An Khanh commune (Hoai Duc district) at 138, Luu Quang Vu street, Trung Hoa ward (Cau Giay district) at 123, Minh Khai ward (Bac Tu Liem district) at 111, Soc Son town (Soc Son district) at 105. Only area number 50 Dao Duy Tu (Hoan Kiem district) has average air quality, AQI index at 93.

Route in Bac Tu Liem district, air quality is low.

Compared to the previous 3 days, air quality during the day has increased pollution. Actively monitoring air quality and implementing health protection measures are necessary to minimize adverse impacts, especially for vulnerable people such as children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned of the health threat posed by environmental pollution. WHO has pointed out that long-term exposure to air pollutants can increase the risk of acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Air pollution can also cause skin damage, eye diseases, and adverse effects on the nervous system, immune system and mental health.

Referring to this issue, Dr. Bui Thu Huong - Department of Examination on Demand, Central Lung Hospital said that during periods of air pollution, the number of patients coming for examination increases by about 20%. In particular, the respiratory system will be affected first when the air is polluted.

“Harmful substances in the air environment will affect the respiratory immune system, reducing resistance. Especially in the cold season, accompanied by low temperatures, the body cannot adapt, causing reactions. Initially, it may be coughing, but later it can lead to more serious risks. Especially for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, it can easily become severe, causing acute asthma attacks,” warned Dr. Bui Thu Huong.

Health protection measures

Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thu Phuong - Director of the Respiratory Center, Bach Mai Hospital said that air pollution is silently causing diseases that are not easily seen overnight but will have long-term consequences for human health.

During times of air pollution, hospitals often receive many patients with symptoms of respiratory diseases. This causes acute respiratory diseases, when entering the blood, it can affect neurological diseases, cause cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases and affect the eyes...

Seasonal flu patient with respiratory failure requiring ventilator treatment at Bach Mai Hospital.

According to Dr. Vu Van Thanh - Head of the Department of Chronic Lung Diseases, Central Lung Hospital, in Vietnam, according to the epidemiological investigation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), COPD cases account for 4.2% of people aged 40 and over.

COPD patients often have acute episodes, which are worsening of respiratory symptoms such as cough, phlegm, and difficulty breathing, often caused by infection or air pollution.

Doctor Vu Van Thanh noted that to prevent acute attacks, COPD patients need to be kept warm when the weather turns cold; avoid exposure to polluted environments such as cigarette smoke, dust, toxic chemicals, etc.; exercise, lung rehabilitation exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing, pursed lip breathing, walking, etc.

Faced with increasing air pollution, Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang - Head of the Vietnam - Russia High Pressure Oxygen Center, Ministry of National Defense recommends that when the air is polluted, people should limit going outside when the air quality is poor.

On the other hand, families should use air purifiers at home, at work, in cars...; use saline, gargle, use eye and nose drops... after returning home. In addition, you should increase physical activity according to your physical condition, do light exercise indoors, or outdoors when the air quality is not too bad...

Health experts also note that people should regularly use masks and goggles when traveling or being exposed to smoky and dusty environments; limit travel through areas with a lot of industrial smoke, and pay attention to protecting their health in these special polluted conditions.

In addition, people focus on eating a balanced diet, with foods rich in antioxidants and fermented foods (natto, kombucha, kefir yogurt...).

The Department of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health recommends that people do not exercise outdoors, close windows to avoid dirty air outside, wear masks when going out, and run air purifiers.

In addition, families should increase cleaning and ventilation of living spaces, use masks and eye protection when cleaning if the air is polluted; limit the use of honeycomb coal stoves and firewood; replace honeycomb coal stoves and firewood with electric stoves, induction stoves or gas stoves to reduce polluting emissions. In addition, everyone should have regular health check-ups to promptly detect diseases related to air pollution.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/ha-noi-gia-tang-o-nhiem-khong-khi-nguoi-dan-chu-dong-phong-benh.html