Winter smog can be harmful for your lungs! Here’s how to stay protected

Updated on: 9 December 2022, 17:42 pm IST

Come winter, come smog. In the northern parts of India, especially, the annual air pollution rise becomes the culprit behind blocked airways in people’s lungs. This gives a rise to respiratory problems, leaving many gasping for breath. It, therefore, becomes inherently important to do all that it takes to increase immunity against air pollution and to save your lungs from complications.

The annual festive season is succeeded by air pollution, exacerbated by smoke from farm fires, firecrackers as well as regular sources of pollutants such as vehicle emissions, biomass combustion, construction, industrial waste, burning of waste, etc. Together, these make for a hazardous combination for lung health.
When you get exposed to poor air quality, you become more susceptible to the side effects of air pollution. These range from cough, chest pain, throat irritation, blocked nasal path, inflamed airways, asthma and more.

According to the World Air Quality Report 2021 by IQAir, New Delhi was ranked the world’s most polluted capital city for the fourth consecutive year. Also, India was home to 11 of the 15 most polluted cities in Central and also in South Asia.
The World Health Organization (WHO) pegs the extent of annual premature deaths due to air pollution globally at 7 million. These are startling statistics, and a call for action for preventive measures to keep lungs healthy.

How to protect lungs from air pollution

Air pollution is considered as one of the leading environmental threats to human health. Be it children, young adults, middle-aged population or the elderly, everyone should stay protected from the menace of poor air quality index. Here are some tips to stay safe from the side effects of air pollution.

1. Reduce exposure to air pollution

Ambient air pollution can be harmful for a person who has to step out of home every day. Try to stay indoors as much as possible and keep your surroundings clean. If you move out in a polluted environment, make sure you use a mask to reduce the impact of air pollution.

2. Physical activity

Being physically active can go a long way in helping you fight the likely health issues that inhaling polluted air can leave you with. Regular breathing exercises, yoga as well as strength exercises help in increasing your lung capacity. When the air quality index is poor, you should exercise indoors rather than outdoors, especially early morning. With healthier lungs, your body will be able to fight against pollutants better.

3. Increase immunity

As the center of gas exchange within the body, lungs have a very critical role to play for a person’s well-being. To this end, having strong immunity, which protects you from potentially harmful substances, is non-negotiable. This often leads to throat irritation, dry cough, aggravated lung congestion.

Hence, it is beneficial to explore the wonders of traditional medicine to improve one’s immunity against pollutants. Fight the throat irritation and dry cough with herbs-enriched products like Joshina that has the power to empower humans with better immunity and strength.

Hamdard Joshina brings together 12 such essential herbs to improve immunity and resist the symptoms of cold and cough. A Unani formulation, this preventive herbal syrup has natural ingredients such as tulsi, mulethi, amaltas, Unnab, Saplstan as ingredients, which can reduce the stress on the lungs by keeping the airways clear.

The winter season and seasonal transition is the best time to take the correct preventive measures to stay healthy and fit. To know more about Hamdard Joshina, click here!

4. Avoid tobacco and smoke

Cigarette smoking is injurious to health – even the cigarette pack gives us this reminder. But do we stop? Smoking is hazardous, more so for people with existing respiratory problems such as asthma and chronic inflammatory lung disease (COPD). Even second-hand smoke is dangerous, especially when the level of air pollution is high.

5. Prevent infections

Following basic hygiene commandments can go a long way in mitigating the risk of infections, which can attack the lungs directly or indirectly. Keep your hands and surroundings clean, maintain distance from people with cough, cold or flu, stay hydrated, eat healthy fruits and vegetables, and don’t forget to get vaccinated.