New Delhi: The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures air quality on a scale between 0 and 500. An AQI higher than 100 indicates unhealthy air, but when it reaches a level higher than 300, serious risk factors begin to play an important role in vulnerable groups, especially those who suffer from respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and even interstitial lung disease.
Recommendations for Vulnerable Groups
People with heightened sensitivities to air quality, including those suffering from respiratory diseases, should minimise activities outdoors during AQI levels above 300.
In an interaction with , Dr. Rahul Kendre, Lung Transplant Physician and Interventional Pulmonologist, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune, listed some preventive measures to save kids from the negatives of pollution this festive season.
Preventive actions amid pollution
- Stay indoors
- Avoid strenuous physical activities outdoors during low AQI days.
- Close all windows and doors to minimise the indoor concentration of pollutant gases coming inside.
- Use a HEPA filter air purifier to enhance the quality of indoor air.
- Service your air conditioning system regularly
- Minimise indoor pollution sources brought about by smoking, burning candles or incense, and harsh cleaning chemicals.
- No Smoking: Smoking indoors seriously deteriorates the quality of indoor air. Lung health and cleanliness demand a smoke-free environment.
- Check AQI: Track the daily AQI released by local media or through other air quality apps to plan your day accordingly.
Community Initiatives
- Reduce Vehicle Emissions: Encourage public transport, ride-sharing, and cycling as methods of reducing vehicle emissions. Demand for non-polluting transport methods at the governmental level.
- Promote Green Spaces: Promote urban green space development and maintenance that removes pollutants and contributes to cleaner air.
- Community Education Programs: Participate in initiatives promoting the education of communities on the quality of air and how to reduce pollution
Conclusion
Improve lung health in the face of poor air quality if only cooperation can be effective. Limitations of both individual and community efforts can minimize the bad health impacts accruing from poor air quality.
Symptoms and Early Warning Signs of Asthma in Children
Children are more vulnerable to asthma. They can even suffer from asthma if either or both parents have asthma. Parents should watch their child closely to detect any symptoms of asthma as early as possible.
Wheezing: This is the condition wherein noisy breathing becomes common for the child, even when they are resting or asleep.
Coughing: Most asthma victims, especially children, tend to cough for long hours, particularly at night.
Respiratory Problems: Due to poor expression of their feelings, they often complain of breathing problems at playtime or other activities. Their presence should be strictly observed by parents.
Paediatric Consultation: The paediatric pulmonologist must have an early diagnosis. Nebulizers and bronchodilator inhalers are some of the treatments administered. Common myths about inhalers Most people mainly feel that inhalers only help in treating severe asthma attacks. Many parents fear their child becoming addicted to inhalers. Truth is, managing asthma requires the use of inhalers. Untreated asthma eventually causes slowed growth and several negative effects, one of which includes poor concentration in school and poor performance.
Effects on School Life
Asthma can also affect sleep, but this time in terms of lack of day-time alertness and being lethargic during school. Disturbed sleep negatively affects the health and well-being of a child or an individual.
Recognition of Other Symptoms
Asthma tends to be triggered by irritants that can cause:
- Recurrent nasal congestion or rhinitis.
- Skin rashes or hypersensitivities attributed to specific foods or environmental exposures, such as gardens.
Trend Observations
A parent should note trends in symptoms for his or her child and determine them as a predictor of increased asthma risk, meaning that immediate intervention is needed.
Conclusion
Parents have to be on the watch out for concerning symptoms in a child and seek professional help urgently. The early detection and treatment of asthma may become instrumental in improving the quality of life for a child and health outcomes.
