DHAKA: Air pollution is making people more tired and sick

DHAKA: Rising air pollution has quietly turned into a serious health threat. Breathing in polluted air day after day doesn’t just make you uncomfortable; it slowly weakens you.

That slight heaviness in the chest, the constant cough that won’t go away, the irritation in your throat, or the exhaustion that hits even after a full night’s sleep, it’s becoming more common than we like to admit. From kids to older adults, no one is really spared anymore. And while many people brush it off as “just bad weather” or seasonal change, doctors say the damage runs much deeper.

“Increasing air pollution has become a silent but fierce health menace especially on respiratory health of people of all ages. Experts believe that the health effect of air pollutants majorly depends on its intensity and duration, the immunity of an individual and the existence of underlying diseases,” Dr Shailesh Jain, pulmonologist and chest physician at Saifee Hospital.

“Bad air quality can not only make people more susceptible to respiratory infections, but also worsen some chronic conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and other lung-related illnesses. The acute exposure can bring about cough, irritation of throat, wheezing and breathlessness in the short term and long-term exposure can cause permanent airway inflammation and lung dysfunction,” he warns.

“Air pollutants which include particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides, ozone, and carbon monoxide are deposited deep into the lungs and in some cases move into the bloodstream. This can result in respiratory infections particularly in children, exacerbation of asthma and bronchitis, increased morbidity and hospitalisation, especially in children, elderly and in people with existing heart or pulmonary issues.

There is also the increased likelihood of poor air quality which has been shown to be an increase in chronic respiratory diseases and lowering of life quality when the individuals are exposed to poor air quality over a long period,” he explains.

Can air pollution cause fatigue and lethargy?

Yes, says Dr Jain, and explains that fine particles inhibit the quantity of oxygen that penetrates into tissues, which is efficiently conveyed to tissues, when polluted air is inhaled. Systemic inflammation is also caused by pollutants and this makes the body overwork itself to ensure normal functioning. This state of inflammation diverts the energy reserves, thus causing chronic fatigue.

Also, such pollutants like carbon monoxide attach to haemoglobin more easily than oxygen thus decreasing the supply of oxygen to the muscles and the brain. This can result in persistent fatigue, loss of concentration and mental fogging, low physical stamina and headaches.

Sleep can also be disrupted by poor air quality particularly among the people with breathing disorders, leading to increased daytime fatigue.

How to prevent this?

The expert suggests the following:

Covering of the face with a face mask, particularly in the highly polluted areas. Purifiers to be used in the home.

Plants that purify the indoors include snake plant, spider plant, areca palm, bamboo palm, peace lily and gerbera daisy.

The increase in the size of the city’s green areas, which can absorb pollutants and improve the general air quality.

Routine drugs of asthmatics or people with chronic respiratory conditions as a prescribed medicine of a physician.

“Such basic yet practical actions will do a long process to protect communities against the growing threat of air pollution, and safeguard the vulnerable groups against the distant impacts of polluted air, are necessary,” says Dr Jain.