Tips to Avoid Common Respiratory Problems During Monsoon Season
During the monsoon season, respiratory problems can become more prevalent due to increased humidity, dampness, and the proliferation of mold and dust mites. To avoid common respiratory issues, it is crucial to maintain good indoor air quality. When the weather permits, open the windows in your home and use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to provide enough ventilation. Regularly clean and replace air filters in air conditioning units to prevent the buildup of allergens. Use a dehumidifier to keep your living rooms dry if needed, and take quick action to fix any leaks or wet spots to stop mold from growing. Additionally, to reduce exposure to respiratory irritants and infections, maintain excellent hygiene by often washing your hands and donning a mask in crowded or dirty environments.
Whether you live in a village, or in a city, the chances are that you look forward to the advent of the monsoon. Delivering respite from the intense summer heat is not the only goal. It is an indication to start planting crops for the rural population. Few people dread the monsoons. Those who do probably live in areas where the monsoon spells floods, landslides, and widespread illness caused by mosquitoes, or contamination of potable water. Dr. Sheetu Singh, a renowned pulmonologist, offers valuable guidance in avoiding common respiratory problems during the monsoon season.
Dr. Sheetu Singh emphasizes that keeping the best possible interior air quality is crucial and may be done so by employing exhaust fans and opening windows for adequate ventilation. Regularly cleaning and replacing air filters in air conditioning units is crucial to prevent allergen buildup. She conveys how crucial it is to use dehumidifiers to keep indoor spaces dry and to take quick action to fix any leaks or damp spots to stop mold growth.
Monsoons Spell Respiratory Problems
Ironically, respiratory distress during the monsoon season is common not only for individuals with asthma but also for otherwise healthy people. High humidity, particularly under cloudy but non-raining conditions, is one of the main causes of this. It might make you feel that your lungs are not filling up with oxygen. A dehumidifier can be something you want to get if you think your rooms are becoming too musty or just too humid. As the rooms dry out, it will spare you and your loved ones a great deal of agony and distress.
Watch Out For The Air Quality Index
Usually, when we think of rain, we think of wiping away air pollutants and purifying the atmosphere. Unfortunately, that is no longer true. When it is humid, the suspended particles have a tendency to remain in the air longer due to elevated levels of atmospheric pollution, instead of dispersing. This spells trouble for asthmatic people. Respiratory discomfort is more common in persons with week immune systems and those recovering from serious illnesses. If you or a loved one needs to be confined indoors for long periods, as happened during the lockdown, then you would be well advised to check the air quality index indoors too. There might be a variety of allergies lingering in the air, which would literally make breathing hard.
Allergens are the Worst Enemies of People with Breathing Difficulties
More pollen is suspended in the air during the monsoon season. Allergens in the air might create discomfort even for those who normally do not experience symptoms of breathing difficulties. In particular, furnishings like curtains, sofa covers, and cushion covers catch and retain allergens. So, during the monsoon, you must exercise caution when keeping them immaculately clean. Run the vacuum on them frequently, since it is not possible to launder them every other day. The rooms need to be aired out every day.
Use Your AC Wisely
Prior to the start of the monsoon season, make sure the air conditioner has been cleaned and adjusted. Investigate your choices for installing a filter to block other allergens and suspended particulate matter in the air if it does not already have one. Then, your home and/or office will be your haven where you can literally breathe easily. Be watchful of the temperature you maintain in the room.
Avoid Catching Colds; Stay Warm and Dry
That is easier said than done. It is challenging to stay dry during the monsoon season. Even in the rain, you may be forced to leave your house or place of business due to meetings and other formal obligations, including social ones. Take appropriate precautions like wearing waterproof footwear, and a raincoat, and if need be, keep a change of clothes in a waterproof bag. Stay warm, and if you are prone to upper and lower respiratory ailments like bronchitis, and pneumonia, or start wheezing, sneezing, or coughing at the drop of a hat, then you must be extra careful. Make sure you consume a variety of hot beverages, such as warm water, soups, broths, infusions of herbs, and green tea. This will ensure that you are properly hydrated, and stay warm.
Pay Close Attention to Your Daily Diet
Your general health is impacted by what and when you consume, even if you might not be aware of this. It certainly impacts your lung health. Nuts, and vegetables rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, fruits, and Omega-3 fatty acids give your system the right means to ward off illnesses and improve your lung health. You would be astonished to know that potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, eggplants/brinjals, and squash also are rich in antioxidants. Red kidney beans (Rajma) are very rich in antioxidants. Use carrots, kale, broccoli, and radishes exclusively in recipes that call for them because they are not the best vegetables to use in this season. Sea fish and lean meat contain sufficient antioxidants for you to consider adding them to your menu periodically.
Get the Fruit and Nut Advantage
Fruits like mangoes, Apricots, grapes all kinds of pineapples, papayas, berries, and bananas are rich in varied vitamins and antioxidants. Add whatever is handy to your meals or keep on hand for a quick snack. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in abundance in nuts like walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts as well as seeds like flaxseed and Chia. Add them as toppings to salads, sprinkle them on top of curried dishes, and add to snacks you enjoy. You get taste and health benefits too. In addition to helping you lose belly fat, drinking a glass of freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed with warm water and honey on an empty stomach keeps your lungs clear.
Keep Your Nostrils Clear
Many respiratory issues begin with a clogged nose. It makes you breathe via your mouth, which increases the risk of your lungs being exposed to allergens and other contaminants in your throat. You could try using a salt solution (table salt boiled in distilled water) to keep your nostrils free. Gargle daily with warm salt water to keep your throat clear. Apart from that, exercise frequently to stay fit, and when the sun peeks through the clouds, try to bring some sunlight into the rooms, even if it’s just for a short while. Mask up whenever you need to go out.
FAQs
Why do respiratory problems increase during the monsoon season?
The monsoon season brings with it more respiratory issues because of the increased humidity, which encourages the growth of dust mites, mildew, and other allergens. Indoor surroundings that are damp and inadequately ventilated can worsen these problems, increasing the risk of respiratory infections and illnesses like allergic rhinitis and asthma.
How can I improve indoor air quality during the monsoon season?
During the rainy season, make sure there is enough ventilation by opening windows and utilizing exhaust fans to improve the quality of interior air. Use dehumidifiers to regulate moisture levels, clean and change air filters in air conditioning systems on a regular basis, and take quick action to fix any leaks or wet spots to stop the spread of mold.
Are there any specific dietary recommendations to boost respiratory health during the monsoon season?
Yes, maintaining a healthy diet can support respiratory health during the monsoon season. Include foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, to strengthen your immune system.
Can regular exercise help in preventing respiratory problems during the monsoon?
Regular exercise can help strengthen the respiratory system and improve overall health. Yoga and breathing exercises can be particularly beneficial in maintaining respiratory health.
What should I do if I experience respiratory symptoms during the monsoon season?
If you experience respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath during the monsoon season, consult a healthcare professional, for proper diagnosis and treatment. To improve air quality and lessen exposure to irritants, follow their recommendations on treating symptoms, which may involve taking medication, avoiding allergies, and changing lifestyle choices.
