How to eat your way to a healthy hair

Let’s create a scenario…  

You are watching an ad for a hair product. An attractive lady beams with smiles as she sways her long beautiful curls from side to side. As she does that, an enchanting voice introduces a hair product. As is the norm, the voice reels out the supposed wonderful abilities of the product. Then the pretty lady comes into focus again, still swaying her hair from side to side but this time, with the product in her hands. Then the advert ends with her saying: ‘Now you know my secret!’ Nice, isn’t it?

The human quest for long, shiny and lustrous hair is almost as old as ‘hair’ itself. Indeed many of us do not mind drilling holes into our pockets just to get the latest ‘miracle hair boosters’. No wonder the Hair cosmetics sector thrives so much! But is there really a cost effective way of achieving a healthy yet attractive looking hair? If you are one of those asking the question then the answer is yes.

This article is going to be focusing on how to maintain that bouncy, healthy hair without breaking the bank. Get ready to be shocked. It will probably come as a surprise to you how healthy dietary habits can affect the hair. Yes! Before the serums, conditioners and shampoos come into play, eating right actually guarantees lustrous hair. Just like every other part of your body, the cells and processes that support strong, vibrant hair depends on a balanced diet. However, it can take longer to notice the changes in the human hair brought about by eating certain kinds of food when compared with how our dietary habit affects the other human parts, say the skin. For example, eating a poor diet in a week can yield acne flare-ups or dry, dull or pale skin. But when it comes to the hair, it can take a few months for the effects of nutritional deficiency to show up. Knowing all of these, what are the required nutrients for the much desired long and lustrous hair?

§        Proteins

A quick chemistry lesson: Do you know that hair is made of about 97% protein? Yes, your hair is pretty much pure protein. Though you might be able to build some muscular biceps by eating less than enough protein, a bald head is certain if the protein content in your body isn't’ high. And even if you do hang onto your hair, eating too little protein can turn it gray.  It is true that all basic nutrients contribute to keeping us whole and healthy, but protein provides the building blocks that allow our bodies repair, replace, or grow bones, skin, muscles, and hair.  Large deposits of protein are found in meat, fish, chicken, eggs, bean, soy foods, and even some grains and vegetables- though in smaller quantities.

§         Fatty foods

Sure you’re thinking isn't fat supposed to be unhealthy?  Yes, there are the unhealthy types of fat such as saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, and hydrogenated fats amongst others which should be avoided. However, there is also the healthy type of fat including Omega-3 fatty acids which are found in sea foods, plant oils. Omega-3 fatty acids help to process the vitamins and minerals in your diets that are necessary for healthy hair production. So pick up a pen right now and add sardines, salmons, walnuts, shrimps into market list as they are foods that are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids.

§        Iron and zinc.

Have you ever noticed that your blood tastes like iron? Well, that’s if you've ever tasted it. This is because Iron is the nutrient responsible for delivering oxygen to your cells, from the blood in your toes all the way up to your hair follicles.  Iron is especially important, and too little iron (anaemia) is a major cause of hair loss, particularly in women. Lean animal meats are great ways to get iron, but if you're vegetarian, consider eating beans, lentils, and soy products.

Zinc, on the other hand, assists in the repair of body tissues. It ensures that the oil glands around your follicles are working properly in order to produce enough oil. In other words, problems such as dry scalp, dandruff and eventually, hair loss can be avoided with zinc. For your daily supply of zinc, eat oysters, low-fat beef, wheat, dark chocolate and cocoa powder.

·        Vitamin C

Vitamin C deficiency is one of the most common causes of hair loss, breakage and lack of lustre (shine). Our bodies use vitamin C to build collagen which is crucial in developing hair growth. Vitamin C also assists in breaking down iron, another building block of hair growth. The body cannot make vitamin C on its own, therefore, it’s crucial that you eat and drink foods that have high concentration of Vitamin C regularly. Citrus fruits, bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and spinach are all fantastic and great-tasting foods that are packed with vitamin C.

As iterated above, eating right is especially needed for the proper growth of your hair. However, smoking, hormonal imbalances, and stress/fatigue can negatively affect how your hair looks and feels and no magic nutrient can make up for those concerns. Eat and live right and soon enough, you might just be the envy of all eyes at the salon or barber’s shop!

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Sit Right!

Unless you happen to be on your feet all day at work, you probably sit too much. Most of us do. When we go home, we sit on the couch. When we have dinner, we sit on a chair. When we watch movies, we sit in the theatre. When we go out, we sit on a stool. Bottom-line: We spend a huge chunk of our lives sitting down. If that’s true then it’s important to be, well, good at sitting. Don’t you think?

Good sitting posture

Sitting for over six hours is considered to be too long and it has been noted to have serious health problems including back aches/pains, abdomen pains amongst others. Also, according to recent research, prolonged sitting can increase the risk of a heart diseases and attacks by up to 64%. So here’s the question, should we resign ourselves to a lifetime of pain and distress? The answer is a big NO. The good news is that it is easy to deal with the negative effects of sitting too long, no matter how lazy you are and most effectual way is to learn how to sit properly. Today, you are about to discover five easy steps to sitting correctly-almost automatically.

Step 1: Be aware of how you sit
When you sit down, take a moment to check your sitting posture. Scoot all the way back so your lower back rests against the back support of the seat. Your back should be straight. If your seat causes you to lean back or your head to push forward the next two steps will help.

Step 2: Choose the correct chair
A good chair will work wonders for your sitting pasture. Choose a chair with an arched seat to provide back support for good posture throughout the day. Look for seat without a head rest which pushes your head forward. 

Step 3: Use a back support pillowHave a bad chair or car seat? All is not lost. Use a well designed back support pillow to provide the right lumbar support and you will maintain proper back posture even in the worst of seats.

Step 4: Keep shoulders straight
Once you have adjusted your back to a more correct position, then it is time to bring those forward shoulders back. Most people that slouch also keep their shoulders in a curved position when sitting. This is poor practice and it is important that you straighten your shoulders. Again, at first, this will be uncomfortable, but, if you maintain this position for a few days, it will become easier and eventually, the discomfort will dissipate altogether. A great way to ensure that your shoulders remain straight while you sit is to keep them pressed against the back of the chair you are sitting on. If this is done, your shoulders will most certainly be in the correct position (unless of course your chair forms an arch at the back).

Step 5: Plant your feet firmly on the ground. 
It is important to keep your feet planted on the ground. keep them shoulder width apart. This will help support your back while you sit. If you are shorter than mst and your fit cannot touch the ground, either find a new chair that fits your needs or try your best to work without your feet. Once you have your feet plantedon the ground, keep them there!
Now that you learnt the basics of a good sitting posture, I hope you won’t be found slouching your way through the day!

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/workplacehealth/Pages/howtositcorrectly.aspx
http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2013/01/11/proper-sitting.aspx
http://www.livestrong.com/article/82061-correct-seating-posture/

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King of Fruits

If I asked you to describe apples in just one word, you might probably say ‘juicy’, ‘munchy’ or ‘delicious’.  I bet ‘healthy’may not find its way into your long list. But as attractive and delicious as apples are, nothing beats their highly beneficial characteristics.

 Now, why should the apple be known as the "King" of all fruits? The answer is because this fruit has so many virtues. 

The saying that "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" has been proven to be true in more ways than one.  Its qualities are endless, helping to prevent and fight a wide range of diseases. Well, let’s consider those benefit

• Apples assist in achieving whiter, healthier teeth. Though it won’t   replace your toothbrush, biting  stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria.
• Apples are filled with soluble fibre which helps to reduce intestinal disorders and haemorrhoids.
• Apples cleanse and detoxify the human system, which helps eliminate heavy metals such as lead and mercury in the body system. 
•  Apples are a good source of Pectin which helps to reduce cholesterol levels by lowering insulin secretion
• Risks of respiratory diseases such as Asthma can be lowered through increased and consistent consumption of apples.
• Apples strengthen the heart, quench thirst, lubricate the lungs, decreases mucous secretion and increases body fluids.
• Studies indicate that eating apples daily can help reduce skin diseases
• There’s no danger of adding unwanted weight since it contain no fat or sodium
• Apples are packed with vitamins C, A, and flavonoids and with smaller amounts of phosphorus, iron and calcium
• Apples provide a source of potassium which may promote heart health. Experts attribute the heart-healthy benefits to antioxidant compounds found in apples, which help prevent cholesterol from oxidizing and inhibiting inflammation

Asides the numerous health benefits of apples, here are five interesting fun facts I bet you didn’t know about apples

•   Apple trees take four to five years to produce their first fruit. 
•  Apples ripen six to 10 times faster at room temperature than if they are refrigerated. 
•  Apples are a member of the rose family 
•  If you threw an apple in water, it wouldn’t sink – apples float in water! This is because 25% of their volume consists of air. 
•   Isaac Newton is said to have discovered the Law of Gravity when an apple fell on his head!

In conclusion, if there is any one thing that you can do to stay well, then it is to eat at least two apples daily according to a whole raft of new scientific researches which place apples at the top of the healthy-living tree. In essence, better health could be as easy as reaching for the fruit bowl for some apples next time you need a snack!

http://www.shape.com/weight-loss/food-weight-loss/8-health-benefits-apples

http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/stories/10-reasons-to-eat-an-apple-a-day

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=15&tname=foodspice

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The Many wonders of the Nose

Most people believe that the primary job of the nose is to smell and breathe. If you belong to that camp, well you are right. Still, there are lots of other things you probably do not know about the human nose. If you want to learn a few truly amazing and interesting facts about the human nose, then just keep reading...
Though we do not pay proper attention to our noses except when they are runny or when a celebrity has just had a ‘nose-job’, the human nose still remains one of the body organs that maintain our health and helps ensure that we live good quality lives.


Here are some facts about the human nose that will help you understand more about how it works tirelessly for us.

• The human nose uses millions of cells to detect approximately 10,000 odors  far less than many animals, but very important in maintaining a good quality life.

• The human nose helps prevent air-borne infections.

• The human nose helps affect the resonance of your voice.

• After age 65, a human loses some of their ability to smell. By the time we reach our eighties, our sense of smell can decrease by as much as 50%.

• Although people are known to break their noses on occasion, there are no bones in them. What gets broken is a piece of cartilage.

• Any air we breathe in through our noses is cooled or warmed to body temperature before it hits our lungs.

• Anosmia is when we do not have the ability to smell, dyosmia is an incorrect sense of smell and hyperosmia is when someone is overloaded by their sense of smell.

• The human brain dedicates less of its brain to smelling than other animals, including fish.


Finally, I’ll like to tell you about a patient who once had asked to a doctor about what he needed to do to take good care of his nose. The doctor simply and straightforwardly replied to the patient that what was more important was what not to do to your nose. Bad habits such as nose-picking, sniffing, rubbing, blowing the noses hard or stuffing things such as tissue and handkerchiefs up to the nostril can do a lot of harm to your nose.
Now that you have increased your knowledge about your nose, I hope you will be kind enough to share the information with a friend. Will you?


http://hubpages.com/hub/Does-the-Nose-Really-Know
http://whatthafact.com/interesting-facts-about-nose/
http://alexanderchong.articlealley.com/how-to-take-good-care-of-your-nose-120282.html

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The Big FIVE

The brain just like any other organ of the body needs exercise. You can’t just let it ‘lay’ there with your regular routine. In no time, before you can scream your last name (even if it’s pretty long), you find yourself depreciating mentally.

So here are FIVE tips to help stimulate your brain. They are short and pretty easy too!

Turn Your Photos Upside Down
If you find yourself losing focus or easily distracted during your work day, try engaging your brain and attention levels by turning pictures upside down in your house or on your desk at work. The instant your pictures are upside down, you brain will automatically go into "alert mode" and help you pick up other small details during your day.

 Involve Other Senses In Your Routine

Start your day by stimulating your senses when you get dressed. Try dressing with your eyes closed or choose outfits based on texture and not how they look. Engaging unused senses for day-to-day routines can improve your memory and stimulate your mind.

 Use Your Other Hand
Try to use the “opposite hand” for routine stuff. For example, switching hands while brushing your teeth or brushing your hair. This can help stimulate your brain and senses. It has been found that using the opposite hand or less dominant hand can increase your brain's creativity levels.

Meditate

Sit back and relax. Meditation can improve your memory and help your mind focus. A study finds that meditation can improve brain function and could even prevent mental illnesses.

Talk To Yourself
Thinking out loud can do more good than harm. Talking to yourself can help improve your memory temporarily. A study found that people who talked to themselves had better luck finding things that were lost.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/10/15/brain-exercises_n_1966861.html

http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/exercise.html

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I love Tomatoes!!! Do you?

This piece was born specifically to address the special circle of humans that pick out the ‘reddies’ from that Ham or Tuna sandwich, or even request outrightly that it be left out of a meal entirely.
Tomatoes! They’re sweet, juicy, and delicious. They have vitamin C. They’re low in calories. They’re fat-free. All these I’m sure you knew, but let’s look at those benefits you probably don’t know and what makes the tomato an excellent healthy choice.
Tomatoes make your skin look great. Beta-carotene, also found in carrots and sweet potatoes, helps protect skin against sun damage.     
• Tomatoes build strong bones. The vitamin K and calcium in tomatoes are both very good for strengthening and repairing bones.
• Tomatoes are a natural cancer fighter. Lycopene again!!! can reduce the risk of several cancers, including prostate, cervical, mouth, pharynx, throat, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectal, prostate and ovarian cancer. Tomatoes’ antioxidants (vitamins A and C) fight the free radicals which can cause cell damage.
• Tomatoes can keep your blood sugar in balance. Tomatoes are a very good source of chromium, which helps to regulate blood sugar.
• Tomatoes can improve your vision. The vitamin A that tomatoes provide can improve vision and help prevent night blindness.
• Tomatoes will even make your hair look better. The vitamin A found in tomatoes works to make hair strong and shiny.
• Tomatoes can help you lose weight. If you are on a sensible diet and exercise plan, build lots of tomatoes into your everyday eating. They make a great snack and can be used to “bulk up” salads, casseroles, sandwiches and other meals. Because tomatoes contain lots of water and fiber, they are what Weight Watchers calls a “filling food,” one of those foods that fill you up fast without adding a lot of calories.

Now it is important to note that stew, soups and sandwiches aren’t the only avenues to consume tomatoes.  Other avenues include:
• Tomatoes in salad (leave them at room temperature, if possible)
• Marinara or tomato sauces (canned, cooked, or homemade) on pasta; this can be big calorie savings when you swap out creamy sauces for tomato-based sauces
• Tomato juice or vegetable juice with tomatoes
• Tomatoes as mid-afternoon snack
• Serve stewed tomatoes over a baked potato (also great on mashed potatoes)
• Make your own salsa with lots of fresh tomato—salsa is a great replacement for high-fat salad dressings as well as being tasty on meats, fish, and eggs

It is important to remember these facts about tomatoes:
• Cooking the tomatoes helps the lycopene become fully released.
• Lycopene is fat soluble, so it helps to cook it in oil, such as olive oil.
• 'Eating tomato ketchup and pizza topping counts towards lycopene intake,' says Sian Porter.
• Ripe, red tomatoes are likely to contain more lycopene than paler, watery ones.

The Down Side
• Some people may be allergic to tomatoes; their body cannot absorb and digest them.
• In some individuals eating tomatoes in salads can lead to itching, hives and breathing problems.
• Lycopene intolerance can cause bloating of the stomach, pain and diarrhea.
• For some, eating tomatoes in any form can result in heart burn and reflux.
• When a person has a history of kidney stones, it would be wise to eat tomatoes in moderation as the high oxalate and calcium bind together and kidney stones are a result.
• Those diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome will need to go slow on consuming tomatoes.
• However, if eaten in moderation will not be harmful in anyway. The nutritional benefits are many so there is no reason to avoid this simple, cost effective and widely available fruit.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/9-Surprising-Health-Benefits-of-Tomatoes.aspx?b=1
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diet-and-nutrition/health-benefits-of-tomatoes.htm
http://www.tomatodirt.com/tomato-facts-health-benefits.html
http://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/health-benefits-of-tomato.htm

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Breast Feeding: The Sure Way To Go

NO!!! Breast feeding isn’t over rated. We fail to remember is that infants are fragile and susceptible to disease, partly because their bodies are not fully developed. They must be treated with special care and given adequate nourishment.
It is true that  a lot these infant formulas are able to mimic a few of the nutritional components of breast milk, but these formulas cannot hope to duplicate the vast and constantly changing array of essential nutrients in human milk.                                                

There are countless benefits of breastfeeding but here are a few of them

• Breast milk is the only natural food designed for your baby.
• Breastfeeding protects your baby from infections and diseases.
• Breast milk provides health benefits for your baby.
• It’s free.
• It’s the right temperature.
• It can build a strong physical and emotional bond between mother and baby
• Breast-fed children are less likely to contract a number of diseases later in life, including juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and cancer before the age of 15
• Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop osteoporosis later in life, are able to lose weight gained during pregnancy more easily and have a lower risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer

Pregnancy and all that it entails can be over whelming to mothers, first timers especially. Even when mothers are able to get off to a good start, all too often in the weeks or months after delivery there is a sharp decline in breastfeeding rates, and practices, particularly exclusive breastfeeding. The period when mothers do not visit a healthcare facility is the time when a community support system for mothers is essential. Continued support to sustain breastfeeding can be provided in a variety of ways.

As we celebrate this year's World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) themed, 'BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT: CLOSE TO MOTHERS'. The driving force is encouraging support by the family. As societies change, however, in particular with urbanization, support for mothers from a wider circle is needed, whether it is provided by trained health workers, lactation consultants, community leaders, or from friends who are also mothers, and/or from fathers/partners. 

 Offer Support To Mothers Today!

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/why-breastfeed.aspx#close
http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/benefits.asp

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Just How GREEN Are You?

“I only take green tea”. I’m sure some of you have wrinkled your noses at some friends, colleagues or even family. You are either not interested in this so-called ‘green tea’ because of the hype or you've joined the bandwagon so you don’t feel left out.

If you haven’t done the latter, you have good reason to do so now as I enlighten you with facts you probably have ignored about the ‘Green Tea’

     ·    The popularity of green tea is largely due to its high concentration of antioxidants and immune boosting powers.

      ·    It has been touted as an effective preventative tool against such serious conditions as cancer, Alzheimer's, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, diabetes, fertility and cognitive function.

     ·  It's a healthy alternative to soda, juice and even coffee, although it may take some getting used to. Today green tea is available in many flavors if plain tea doesn't appeal to you.

     ·     It has been shown that those who drink 2 or more cups of green tea each day are less likely to have heart disease, stroke and high cholesterol, but doctors aren't recommending using tea to treat or prevent these conditions.

·         Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that cause dental plaque.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Join The Wagon Today!!!          

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Health Living and Its Benefits

‘Healthy Lifestyle’ ‘Healthy Living’ ‘Live Healthy’. The media are constantly bamboozling us with these, so much so that no one really pays attention to those phrases anymore. In addition, all the rules that goes into actualizing the ‘healthy living’ just puts’ you off yes?

However, as boring and ‘uncool’ as it all sounds, learning its importance and how to make changes to achieve it can improve the quality and the length of your life.

 The most obvious of the pact are diet and exercising. Learning to deal with stress, sleeping enough hours, not smoking and drinking responsibly are also part of the equation.

Parents who lead a healthy lifestyle are planting the seeds for their kids to go on to lead healthy lives as well. With childhood obesity reaching epidemic proportions, leading by example is more important than ever, and so is getting your kids involved in learning to live well, eat better, and deal with stress and lack of exercise.

Medical conditions that are common in older people such as heart disease, osteoporosis and some cancers can be prevented (or the risk of contracting them diminished). The aging process can be slowed by making healthier choices in different areas, and many chronic diseases can be slowed or prevented.

A well-balanced, proper diet can have these benefits for those who choose to live a healthy lifestyle:

• Weight control

• Improved immune function

• Increased energy

• Get in cardiovascular workouts – Any type of activity that gets the heart pumping can work well. Exercise simply does not have to be limited to a gym routine. Swimming, jogging, gardening, dancing and so on all fit the bill.

• Weight training is helpful – Toning the muscles and maintaining proper strength is also an important factor in healthy living. There's no need to attempt to look like a bodybuilder to see results either.

Exercises are also essential

In order for the body to function as it should, it needs a good workout. While this isn't everyone's favorite prong in a plan to live a healthy lifestyle, it's important nonetheless. To make the most out of exercise, it's important to:

Leading a healthy lifestyle can do more than prevent disease. It can also help you have more energy and stamina, stay slim, be more alert, fight stress and live a longer life.

Switching to a healthier lifestyle doesn't need to happen in a day. Making smaller changes and smarter choices you can live with in the long term are better and will provide lasting results.

Those small changes could be as little as:

·        An Apple A Day

·        Taking those brisk walks in the evening you detest so much

When at the mall, drop that huge bar chocolate and opt for a granola bar instead                                   

·        Skipping a few rounds in the a.m

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AIR POLLUTION: CAUSES AND EFFECTS

As humans and majorly Nigerians, we are all victims of air pollution in no small way. It’s a pity that most of us are quite ignorant of just how damaging it is to our organs and our being as a whole.

Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes (or smoke) or odour are introduced into the atmosphere in a way that makes it harmful to humans, animals and plant. This is because the air becomes dirty (contaminated or unclean). 

Things that pollute the air are called pollutants. Examples of pollutants include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides, hydrocarbons, sulphur oxides (usually from factories), sand or dust particles, and organic compounds that can evaporate and enter the atmosphere.

 Causes Of Air Pollution

Air pollution can result from both human and natural actions. Natural events that pollute the air include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of organic compounds and natural radioactivity.

Here are some human activities that result in air pollution

Emissions From Industries And Manufacturing Activities
Have you seen a manufacturing company before? You will notice that there are long tubes (called chimneys) erected high into the air, with lots of smoke and fumes coming out of it.

Waste incinerators, manufacturing industries and power plants emit high levels of carbon monoxide, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air. This happens almost everywhere that people live. Petroleum refineries also release lots of hydrocarbons into the air.

Burning Fossil Fuels

Following the industrial age, transportation has become a key part of our lives. Cars,heavy duty trucks, trains, shipping vessels and airplanes all burn lots of fossil fuels to work. Emissions from automobile engines contain both primary and secondary pollutants. This is a major cause of pollution, and one that is very difficult to manage. This is because humans rely heavily on vehicles and engines for transporting people, good and services.

Fumes from car exhaust contain dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulates. On their own, they cause great harm to people who breathe them. Additionally, they react with environmental gases to create further toxic gases. 

Household and Farming Chemicals
Crop dusting, fumigating homes, household cleaning products or painting supplies, over the counter insect/pest killers, fertilizer dust emit harmful chemicals into the air and cause pollution. In many case, when we use these chemicals at home or offices with no or little ventilation, we may fall ill if we breathe them.

Effects Of Air Pollution

Acidification
Chemical reactions involving air pollutants can create acidic compounds which can cause harm to vegetation and buildings. Sometimes, when an air pollutant, such as sulfuric acid combines with the water droplets that make up clouds, the water droplets become acidic, forming acid rain. When acid rain falls over an area, it can kill trees and harm animals, fish, and other wildlife. 

Eutrophication
Rain can carry and deposit the Nitrogen in some pollutants on rivers and soils. This will adversely affect the nutrients in the soil and water bodies. This can result in algae growth in lakes and water bodies, and make conditions for other living organism harmful.

Ground-Level Ozone
Chemical reactions involving air pollutants create a poisonous gas ozone (O3). Gas Ozone can affect people’s health and can damage vegetation types and some animal life too.

Particulate Matter
Air pollutants can be in the form of particulate matter which can be very harmful to our health. The level of effect usually depends on the length of time of exposure, as well the kind and concentration of chemicals and particles exposed to. Short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Others include headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Short-term air pollution can aggravate the medical conditions of individuals with asthma and emphysema. Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or complicate medical conditions in the elderly. 

Here are some disturbing statistics about Air Pollution

·         Around 3 billion people cook and heat their homes using open fires and leaky stoves burning biomass (wood, animal dung and crop waste) and coal.

• Nearly 2 million people die prematurely from illness attributable to indoor air pollution from household solid fuel use.
• Nearly 50% of pneumonia deaths among children under five are due to particulate matter inhaled from indoor air pollution.
• More than 1 million people a year die from chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) that develops due to exposure to such indoor air pollution.
• Both women and men exposed to heavy indoor smoke are 2-3 times more likely to develop COPD

Around 3 billion people still cook and heat their homes using solid fuels in open fires and leaky stoves. About 2.7 billion burn biomass (wood, animal dung, crop waste) and a further 0.4 billion use coal.

 Such cooking and heating produces high levels of indoor air pollution with a range of health-damaging pollutants, including small soot particles that penetrate deep into the lungs. In poorly ventilated dwellings, indoor smoke can be 100 times higher than acceptable levels for small particles. Exposure is particularly high among women and young children, who spend the most time near the domestic hearth.

Effects On Health

Nearly 2 million people a year die prematurely from illness attributable to indoor air pollution due to solid fuel use (2004 data). Among these deaths, 44% are due to pneumonia, 54% from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 2% from lung cancer.

Pneumonia

Nearly half of deaths among children under five years old from acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) are due to particulate matter inhaled from indoor air pollution from household solid fuels (WHO, 2009).

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Women exposed to heavy indoor smoke are three times as likely to suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g. chronic bronchitis), than women who use cleaner fuels. Among men (who already have a heightened risk of chronic respiratory disease due to their higher rates of smoking), exposure to indoor smoke nearly doubles that risk.

Lung Cancer

Approximately 1.5% of annual lung cancer deaths are attributable to exposure to carcinogens form indoor air pollution. As with bronchitis, the risk for women is higher, due to their role in food preparation as well as their comparatively lower rates of smoking. Women exposed to indoor smoke thus have double the risk of lung cancer in comparison with those not exposed.

Other Health Impacts

More generally, small particulate matter and other pollutants in indoor smoke inflame the airways and lungs, impairing immune response and reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

There is also evidence of links between indoor air pollution and low birth weight, TB, ischaemic heart disease, naso-pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs292/en/index.html

http://www.who.int/topics/air_pollution/en/index.html

http://eschooltoday.com/pollution/air-pollution/air-pollution-facts.html

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