Are you a person who often suffers from colds, coughs and chest pain during the rainy season? Don’t worry, here are five essential precautions to protect your respiratory health.
As the season changes, monsoon brings with it much-needed relief from the scorching heat. Along with cool air and torrential rain, monsoon poses various health challenges, especially respiratory health. People are often seen complaining of suffering from breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, crackling in the lungs, fatigue, chest pain, coughing, wheezing and noisy breathing during monsoon. The humidity in the air creates a perfect atmosphere for pathogens and fungal bacteria to thrive and lead to breathing difficulties.
Photo gallery: 5 foods that help protect lung health
The risk of developing respiratory problems like flu, common cold, asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis increases significantly during the rainy season. People are advised to take necessary precautions and follow safety measures to keep infections and respiratory problems at bay. Dr Samir Garde, Head, Department of Pulmonology and Lung Transplant, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, shared 5 tips to protect your respiratory health during monsoon.
Tips to protect your respiratory health during monsoon
- Eat a balanced diet: Your diet should include plenty of vegetables, fruits, lentils, legumes and whole grains as they have various nutritional benefits. Opt mostly for vegetables and fruits with essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. This helps protect respiratory cells from permanent damage during the rainy season.
- Limit your outdoor visits: Avoid going outside if it is not necessary, as the air is full of pollutants, pathogens, dust particles and dirt that can be harmful to your respiratory well-being. Make sure to always check the Air Quality Index (AQI) for real-time updates before going outside. If the AQI level is high, don’t forget to wear a mask for better protection.
- Maintain indoor air quality: During monsoon rains, people rarely step out of their homes if they don’t have to. It is a common myth that staying indoors means you are free from all the pollutants and bacteria that can aggravate your respiratory problems. However, you are still at a high risk of experiencing discomfort as the indoor air can also be polluted. This is why it is essential to take necessary precautions to maintain indoor air quality levels. You can install air purifiers in the hallway and bedrooms as they help remove dust, pollen, pet dander, mould and spores from the air.
- Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated is a good habit that has several health benefits. One should drink at least 1-2 liters of water or any type of liquid per day to achieve maximum hydration. This can significantly help in maintaining and protecting the thin mucus lining present in the respiratory tract. Make sure to drink warm water or liquids like tea, green tea, soup, and stews to keep yourself warm during cold weather and to relieve respiratory problems like cough and sore throat.
- Deep breathing exercises: If you find yourself short of breath easily, especially after climbing stairs or doing physical activities, you may find it helpful to incorporate deep breathing exercises into your daily routine. Performing deep breathing exercises for more than 5 minutes a day can help you stay calm and increase your lung capacity.
