Air pollution and care for vulnerable groups / Key recommendations for pregnant women, children and the elderly
Family group; زهره سعیدی: Air pollution is one of the problems of big cities like Tehran, which shows itself far more every year with the cooling of the air in autumn and winter and the increase of pollutants and lack of rainfall. All sections of society are affected by air pollution, but vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children and the elderly, who are prone to disease and have a weaker body, are more affected and have far more side effects.
For this reason, families should be very careful about certain groups so that dangerous pollutants in the air do not harm the fetus in the womb of pregnant women, susceptible children and the elderly. The type of air pollutants is different in different seasons, and if it becomes too much like the conditions in Tehran and big cities these days, breathing in this air will be difficult for pregnant mothers and other sensitive groups and with the risk of vulnerability. Recent studies have shown that air pollution has such a profound effect on pregnant mothers that even if it is below the standard index, it is still dangerous to the health of the mother and fetus.
The most important air pollutants are ozone, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, arsenic and asbestos, which are caused by most chemical plants, oil refineries and car exhaust. Ms. Zohreh Ameri, midwife and nurse of Shahid Sattari Hospital in Qarchak We talked to Fars News Agency about the effects of air pollution on sensitive groups and how to take care of them, which you can read in detail below:
* Ms. Ameri, first of all, what is the harmful effect of air pollution on the type of living organisms and how does it affect especially sensitive groups such as pregnant women, children and the elderly?
You see, polluted air generally harms all living things, but sensitive groups, as you said, like respiratory patients, make children, the elderly vulnerable, and women more susceptible to disease. Problems include coughing, eye irritation, respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, asthma and allergies, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, lung and heart dysfunction, other types of heart and respiratory disease, and eventually cancer. It can be caused by air pollution for a long time. For this reason, it is recommended that these groups not be exposed to polluted air during times when the air is more polluted, especially in autumn and winter.
Pregnant women exposed to air pollution, their baby may be born prematurely or underweight, disorders such as autism, asthma and allergies. During these years, you can see how many children have allergies. Many cases of miscarriage have also been reported in pregnant women who have been exposed to air pollution.
Given that prevention has always been better than cure, what kind of prevention do you have for vulnerable groups, especially pregnant women, in these days of polluted air infected with the Corona virus?
Well, the first point is that sensitive groups, as you said, pregnant women, children and the elderly should be forced to be outside in the air, but as far as possible they should not be exposed to the outside air and in Be at home when the pollution intensifies.
Pregnant mothers should not be too worried, because they can easily take care of themselves by following the tips and reducing contact with pollutants. Therefore, it is better not to leave the house in case of air pollution, even when it is a little too much.
** Use of masks for pregnant women
For working women, it is necessary to use a mask these days, to walk less in the open air, and to take leave in the days leading up to childbirth.
** Consume fresh milk and dairy products
The next point is nutrition that use a lot of milk and dairy products when contaminated because it eliminates toxins from the body. Some nutritionists also recommend the use of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant, but depending on the different income conditions of families, different foods and medicines can be recommended.
** Consume fresh fruits and vegetables and nuts
Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and dried fruits is also recommended for children, the elderly and pregnant women. These substances are antioxidants and reduce the side effects of gases against free radicals in air cells. So eat fresh fruits and vegetables at least half a kilo a day, but because these are very expensive these days, all families may not be able to prepare this much, but fruits such as grapefruit, oranges and other citrus fruits, apples and other colored fruits Recommended in this chapter.
Cold and airborne fumigation can also be effective in eliminating indoor pollution.
** Shut down sports activities
On days of high air pollution, it is better to avoid exercise indoors and outdoors, and if you have symptoms of shortness of breath, heartburn and cough, see a doctor.
* What special recommendations are there for children?
Well, the first point is that the presence of children should be reduced or eliminated on days of air pollution outside the house, even if they are not present in parks, because children can wear less masks anyway, especially for children under two years old. It is not and it is forbidden. Of course, other countries do not recommend wearing masks for children under the age of five.
** Carrying spray and oxygen capsules for people with asthma and allergies
Babies generally have good immunity unless their baby has a specific underlying lung disease, but other babies are stronger due to their high intake of milk and nutritious foods. If a child has allergies and asthma, take their asthma medications and sprays with them wherever they go, or with their oxygen capsules in the car.
** Avoid cigarette smoke and smokers
It is always recommended that the elderly and children stay away from smokers, but in case of air pollution, this sensitivity is more and it is better to stay away from environments contaminated with cigarette smoke.
** Consume foods with high antioxidants
For feeding children, it is recommended to include the same substances with strong antioxidants mentioned above, in addition to consuming foods such as garlic due to its high antioxidants, the use of spices to cleanse the lungs such as turmeric, ginger and fennel and Strong drinks such as green tea are recommended for children and the elderly.
* Ms. Ameri, what is the effect of air pollution on the elderly and how can protective measures be taken for the elderly in conditions of severe air pollution?
However, air pollution also reduces the oxygen level of the elderly blood and causes heart problems and respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, fatigue and chest pain, high blood pressure and, God forbid, heart attack in them. However, the defense mechanism of the elderly body. It is weak. Their lungs become infected and have problems quickly.
The same advice is recommended for the elderly to reduce the presence of contaminated spaces to avoid cardiovascular and lung diseases. Any outdoor or indoor sports activities are not recommended for them during this period.
** Elderly people should avoid smoking
Elderly people who smoke, it is better to avoid cigarette smoke in air pollution. If the elderly go to work, it is better not to leave their office and keep the windows closed or use air filters. Those who are retired and have conditions can leave the city and go to areas with good weather for a while. Masks and personal protective equipment are definitely recommended.
** Perform annual routine tests
One of the most important issues for the elderly is to follow the annual routine tests. If a specific disease has an elderly background, such as a kidney problem, they should have tests every six months, but some elderly people are healthy. And if they have a particular problem, they have to take their own medicine to make their body resistant, but for example, there is a person who has diabetes and does not know, so he lives very normally, but once he has an eye or heart problem, but if he knows about diabetes He himself might not have had these problems.
* What nutritionally should the elderly observe?
You see, the first point is high water consumption, because the feeling of thirst is much higher in the elderly anyway. On days of pollution, pure water should be consumed more. Fruit and tea, of course, do not replace pure water because water washes the gastrointestinal tract and relieves dry mouth and thirst, and by consuming water, this pollution is removed from the body.
** Avoid carbonated beverages / dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables
Consumption of carbonated beverages should be strictly prohibited as it increases the effects of pollution. The same daily consumption of low-fat milk and dairy products and fruits reduces vulnerability. Among the fruits, apples and fruits with vitamins A, E and C and citrus fruits and red fruits, peppers, green tea, soybean oil, olives, sunflower and weekly fish consumption are also effective.
** Presence in pleasant weather places outside the city
For the elderly, there are other recommendations from geriatricians, such as that in addition to not traveling in the city and air pollution, use a mask and do not go to crowded places, you should avoid canned food and ready-made foods outside. And this traditional food is more suitable at home.
Finally, it was mentioned about exercising that exercise is good for all age groups, but in case of air pollution, it is better for the elderly not to exercise and to be in pleasant areas and weather.
* Final advice if you have, please?
While wishing good health to all my compatriots, I hope that no one will get sick from air and corona pollution. There are a few other points that I can mention, such as rain and snow are very polluted after air pollution, it is recommended that all people, especially sensitive groups, be very careful and do not be exposed to it, because generally these pollutions in The cold season occurs and may be washed away by a rain or snow, it is better not to be exposed to this rain and snow.
If you go to work in your own car, it is better to raise the car windows and not be exposed to polluted air, and the final point is that if you have asthma and allergies and these days you have wheezing and pain Chest or shortness of breath, do not leave the house, but be sure to consult your doctor for relief of symptoms.
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