Take a Deep Breath

Sorry, this isn’t a post about the world’s worst karaoke tune – it’s about air quality and respiratory issues.

What a typical autumn morning it has been.  It was a bit chilly and the top floors of the city’s skyscrapers hidden in the mist (or smog), which got me thinking again about what we breathe.  Air pollution causes lots of harm to human health and mainly affects the most vulnerable – the young and elderly and those with respiratory problems such as asthma It increases respiratory and heart disease risks and contributes to premature mortality. Also a link between low birth-weight and exposure to air pollution has been proven.

There are not often reasons for optimism in the environment debate and its impact on our health, but one has just arrived.  Little airborne particles and ozone are still posing a significant threat to our health, but…

…  a recent study has found out that European nations have achieved great improvements when it comes to the quality of the air we breathe. Cities have dramatically cut the amounts of pollutants and also the visible signs of pollution have diminished. The struggle for a better and healthier environment is not over yet, but definitely you can take healthier deep breath than a couple of years ago.

However, problems with breathing and a persistent cough do indicate the need to see a doctor. If your breathing does not feel right and you experience coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath or any other discomfort,  seek medical help as these symptoms can be a sign of a respiratory disease.  Remember that problems such as asthma can develop at any age, and are not only childhood diseases as widely believed.