5 ways to manage respiratory conditions
Allergy season is approaching. This season does not only affect people with seasonal allergies, it also affects people with chronic respiratory conditions (CRCs). Here are five ways you can manage respiratory conditions this spring:
Quit smoking or avoid second-hand smoke
Tobacco smoke, known for negatively affecting health in many ways, is also the main risk factor for developing conditions such as COPD and worsening the symptoms of other CRCs.1
Limit time outdoors when the pollen count or air pollution is high
Air quality is very important in managing CRCs. Air pollution has a great impact on respiratory health worldwide, with exposure even to small amounts causing adverse effects.2
Respiratory conditions: limit close contact with pets
Pets don’t just cause allergy symptoms in many people; they can also carry allergens and pollutants on their fur after being outdoors for just short periods of time.3
Respiratory conditions: keep the windows closed
Indoor air quality is just as important as outdoor air quality. Keeping the windows and doors closed and using an air filtration system helps ensure that the air that you breathe is cleaner.3
Pay extra attention to personal hygiene during allergy season
Just as pets can carry particles on their fur, people can also carry particles on their clothes and hair. Taking showers and washing clothes and sheets more frequently can minimize exposure to allergens.3
Did You Know?
- 235 million people worldwide suffer from asthma.4
- There were more than 250 million cases of COPD globally in 2016, and more than three million deaths.5
- Millions of people suffer from respiratory allergies, but as this condition is underdiagnosed, there can be no clear estimate.1
Respiratory conditions / source:
1. About chronic respiratory diseases. World Health Organization website. http://www.who.int/respiratory/about_topic/en/. Accessed November 28, 2018.
2. Risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases. World Health Organization website. http://www.who.int/gard/publications/Risk%20factors.pdf. Accessed November 28, 2018.
3. Pollen Allergy. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America website. http://www.aafa.org/page/pollen-allergy.aspx. Accessed November 28, 2018.
4. Chronic respiratory diseases. World Health Organization website. http://www.who.int/respiratory/en/. Accessed November 28, 2018.
5. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). World Health Organization website. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs315/en/. Updated November 2017. Accessed November 28, 2018.
Source : Cigna Mena