Major diseases caused by Air Pollution

          Air is the Earth's atmosphere. Air around us is a combination of many gases and dust particles. It is the clear gas in which living things live and breathe.

          The Air is polluted by filthy particles that come from man-made and natural sources. Whether we live in a densely populated area or a less populated place, tiny pollution particles in the air can lead to big health problems. 

           Pollution comes from traffic, factories, power generation, wildfires or even cooking with a wood stove. Here, numerous diseases are caused by air pollution. Air pollution is a major environment-related health threat to all living organisms

          For humans, breathing in these chemicals daily is damaging the body causing serious health problems. Let us discuss about some of the major infections caused by air pollution
Asthma
Asthma is a long-term disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult. Air pollution causes inflammation of the air passages that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs.

Symptoms :
Coughing, Wheezing, Shortness of breath, Chest tightness, decreased activity and inability to talk


Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is the name for a collection of lung diseases. People who are affected by COPD find it difficult to empty air out of the lungs. Air contaminated by adulterated smoke is the major cause of COPD

Symptoms :
Cough, Mucus production, shortness of breath and Fatigue


Heart Disease

People who live near road intersections or factories or who direct traffic are particularly at risk of Cardiovascular disease. Air pollution causes harm to the heart by hardening the arteries thus resulting in an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood. 

Symptoms :
Heaviness or pain in the heart, discomfort in the jaw or arm, Dizziness, Nausea and intense sweating 


Lung Cancer

Though lung Cancer is chiefly established due to tobacco smoking, particle pollution in the air also causes Lung cancer. It develops as a result of the long term respiratory infections. 

Symptoms :
Coughing up blood or rust coloured phlegm, hoarseness, weight loss, Loss of appetite and feeling weak


Cystic Fibrosis

Air pollution harms people with cystic fibrosis, which is a life threatening genetic disease. The amount of airborne fine particles of soot from sources such as power plants and motor vehicles causes thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and blocks the pancreas

Symptoms :
Inflamed nasal passages, stuffy nose, cough with thick mucus, wheezing, breathlessness and lung infections
Previous
Next Post »