Air Pollution Related - Lung and Airway Disorders

Illnesses associated with air pollution are recognized as environmental lung diseases.

The primary components of air pollution in developed countries are nitrogen dioxide - caused due to the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, ozone, and suspended solid or liquid particles. Whereas in developing countries burning biomass fuel is a significant cause of particulate matter indoors.

Unusual higher levels of air pollution can trigger attacks in an individual suffering from asthma or COPD. Air pollution-related lung disease raises the chance of getting heart and blood vessel disorders and may double the risk of lung cancer. People residing in regions with high traffic are at critical risk. Some other sources include dust from the road, construction, and soil, tobacco smoke, Industrial emissions, exhaust fumes, wildfire, and vehicle emission.

Most utmost air pollutants induce the muscles in the airways to contract, narrowing the airway. Long-term vulnerability to air pollution may aggravate respiratory infections and indications of respiratory disorders such as cough and difficulty breathing and sometimes affecting the capacity of lung function.

Respiratory Health Effects

• Increased susceptibility to respiratory infection
• Lung cancer - if long term exposure
• Bronchitis and asthma exacerbation
• Reduced lung function
• Pulmonary mortality - if long term exposure

Air Pollution Related Diseases Diagnosis

Air-pollution related disease diagnosis requires doctors to make a thorough analysis of the person's history of exposure to a higher level of known pollutants at the workplace or home and symptoms caused. The doctor suggests undergoing lung function tests. Doctors confirm with the patient suffering from asthma and COPD whether their symptoms worsen when exposed to air pollution.

Treatment of symptoms

Medications are provided to alleviate symptoms. For example, drugs utilized to manage asthma may relieve some symptoms. If people having severe symptoms supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation may be needed.