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Major Indoor
Causes of Asthma
•
Allergens:
dust mites
•
Animal allergens:
cockroaches or
molds
•
Irritants:
tobacco smoke,
perfumes,
cleaning agents,
and/or nitrogen
oxides
Interventions and
Prevention at the
Population-level
• Smoke-free policies
including protect children
from second-hand smoke,
create non-smoking social
norm, and reduce tobacco
consumption.
• Air Quality Standards:
WHO has generated air
quality standards for
the major “criteria” air-
pollutants. Reductions to
these levels offer significant
health benefits.
• Mass transportation
initiatives
• Indoor Air Regulations for
public buildings
• Smoke-free schools/
workplaces
Prevention At the
Individual-level
• Zinc supplements
accelerate recovery from
severe pneumonia.
• Vitamins C and E may
blunt the effects of ozone
on lung function but
do not seem to prevent
symptoms.
• Yearly influenza
vaccination among school
going and day-care
attending children.
H
that rates have risen in many
industrialized nations in the past
20 years, and some clinicians
in less industrialized countries
are beginning to diagnose
more cases of wheezing than
previously. “Asthma is the most
common chronic disease in
childhood,” he says.
Reasons Asthma is On
the Rise
Some reasons asthma is
increasing, says Dr. Cheriathu
include dietary changes,
increased use of antibiotics,
more use of processed foods
which means an alteration in
bowel flora with more Clostridial
bacteria, less lactobacillus.
Specific Problems
Middle ear infections
These, says Dr. Cheriathu, are
greatly increased by exposure
to passive tobacco exposure. “In
addition, there is synergy between
viral infections and particulate
exposures such as tobacco smoke
which contains large amounts
of particulate matter,” says Dr.
Cheriathu.
Tuberculosis
Passive or active exposure to
tobacco smoke is significantly
associated with tuberculous
infection and tuberculosis disease,
indicates Dr. Cheriathu. “These
effects appear to be independent
of the effects of alcohol use,
socioeconomic status and a
large number of other potential
confounders,” he details.
Pneumonia
This is a leading
cause of illness and
death worldwide in
children. According
to Dr. Cheriathu, a
synergy has been
established between
bacterial and viral
pneumonia and
air pollution. “Zinc
helps in preventing
pneumonia
and accelerating
recovery from severe
pneumonia,” he
explains.
Asthma
Asthma is a
major public
health problem
for children.
Dr. Cheriathu
points out
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Sep/Oct 2015