10/06/2024
Respiratory Diseases and Prevention
1. Causes of Respiratory Diseases
* Environmental Factors: Exposure to air pollutants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone, can irritate the respiratory system and cause respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are also significant environmental risk factors for respiratory diseases.
* Genetics: Some respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and primary ciliary dyskinesia, have a genetic component. These conditions are caused by inherited gene mutations that affect the respiratory system.
* Infectious agents: Respiratory infections, such as influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and COVID-19, are caused by infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These infections can cause inflammation and damage to the respiratory system.
* Occupational hazards: Exposure to occupational hazards such as dust, chemicals, and fumes can lead to respiratory diseases such as pneumoconiosis and occupational asthma.
* Allergens: Exposure to allergens such as pollen, mold, and pet dander can cause allergic reactions and cause respiratory diseases such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.
2. Some common diseases during the changing seasons
2.1 .Respiratory tract infections
Respiratory infections are infections that occur in the lungs, chest, sinuses, nose, and throat. Chronic infections are those that occur repeatedly over time, especially during the change of seasons from fall to winter when people spend more time indoors and form groups of people. Because the number of germs increases and more people are in close contact with each other, these germs are more likely to spread.
2.2 Asthma
The time when children return to school is also the peak virus season, this is especially true for children with asthma, as the disease can become worse when the seasons change. According to experts, the transition from autumn to winter is the worst time for children with asthma because they are exposed to many types of respiratory viruses. Asthma often breaks out in late August and September for two main reasons:
- Viral infections are high in the community, especially in autumn and winter.
- Children return to school and are in close proximity to other students infected with the virus.
3. When having to move frequently or when the weather changes, pay attention to the following to prevent and treat respiratory diseases:
- Keep your body warm when it's cold, especially the neck, chest, and soles of the feet;
- Bathe in warm water in a closed room, dry your body thoroughly after bathing and put on clean clothes;
- Avoid fans, air conditioners, and staying up late. Eat and exercise regularly.
- Clean your throat and mouth, such as brushing your teeth after eating, before and after waking up;
- Do not smoke, avoid drinking cold water or ice. Increase green vegetables and drink lots of fruit juice
- Avoid long-term dependence on antibiotics
- Get a flu shot at the beginning of the cold season, get a pneumococcal shot for people at risk to help increase the body's overall resistance, to prevent the risk of respiratory diseases and if you get sick, you will have a milder illness and a shorter hospital stay.
