Health impact of air pollution

Since the onset of the industrial revolution, there has been a steady change in the composition of the atmosphere mainly due to the combustion of fossil fuels used for the generation of energy and transportation.

Air pollution is a major environmental health problem affecting the developing and the developed countries alike. The effects of air pollution on health०২੨੩৩ are very complex as there are many different sources and their individual effects vary from one to the other. It is not only the ambient air quality in the cities but also the indoor air quality in the rural and the urban areas that are causing concern. In fact in the developing world the highest air pollution exposures occur in the indoor environment. Air pollutants that are inhaled have serious impact on human health affecting the lungs and the respiratory system; they are also taken up by the blood and pumped all round the body. These pollutants are also deposited on soil, plants, and in the water, further contributing to human exposure. As you read on you can learn about health impacts of specific air pollutant.Sources of air pollution

Air pollutants consist of gaseous pollutants, odours, and SPM, (suspended particulate matter) such as dust, fumes, mist, and smoke. The concentration of these in and near the urban areas causes severe pollution to the surroundings. The largest sources of human-created air pollution are energy generation, transportation, and industries that use a great deal of energy sources. Depending on their source and interactions with other components of the air, they can have different chemical compositions and health impacts. Since these pollutants are generally concentrated in and around urban areas, the outdoor urban pollution levels are far higher than in the rural areas.

Fires are another major source of air pollution and can lead to severe problems if the smoke is inhaled for a period of time. These fires can either be forest fires, oil well fires, burning of leaves in the backyard or as in the case of rural areas, large-scale burning of agricultural waste. Other sources include industries and power plants located in these areas.Impact of air pollution on health

The magnitude of the London fog of 1952, which affected such a large number of people, was the first incident that made people aware of the damage done to the atmosphere due to industrialization. The SPM levels increased manifold and resulted in over 4000 deaths.

Indoor air pollution can be particularly hazardous to health as it is released in close proximity to people. It is stated that a pollutant released indoors is many times more likely to reach the lung than that released outdoors. In the developing countries a fairly large portion of the population is dependent on biomass for their energy requirements. These include wood, charcoal, agricultural residue, and animal waste. Open fires used for cooking and heating are commonly found in the household both in the rural and the urban areas. The stove is often at floor level, adding to the risk of accident and the hygiene factor. In addition, they are often not fitted with a chimney to remove the pollutants. In such households the children and women are most likely to be affected, as they are the group that spends more time indoors. The main pollutant in this environment is the SPM. In fact, death due to indoor air pollution, mainly particulate matters, in the rural areas of India are one of the highest in the world. Many of the deaths are due to acute respiratory infections in children; others are due to cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases in adults. If emissions are high and ventilation is poor, household use of coal and biomass can severely affect the indoor air quality.

Pollutant emissions per meal are also very high compared to those of other fuels. Household use of fossil fuel is also fairly common in the developing countries, particularly coal—both bituminous and lignite. These are particularly damaging as they burn inefficiently and emit considerable quantities of air pollutants. If emissions are high and ventilation poor, then the exposure levels to the gases emitted are far higher. The most harmful of the gases and agents that are emitted are particulate matter, carbon dioxide, polycyclic organic matter, and formaldehyde. The indoor concentrations of these are far higher than the acceptable levels and is cause for concern in rural areas.

Health impact of specific air pollutants

Some of these gases can seriously and adversely affect the health of the population and should be given due attention by the concerned authority. The gases mentioned below are mainly outdoor air pollutants but some of them can and do occur indoor depending on the source and the circumstances.

Tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke generates a wide range of harmful chemicals and is a major cause of ill health, as it is known to cause cancer, not only to the smoker but affecting passive smokers too. It is well-known that smoking affects the passive smoker (the person who is in the vicinity of a smoker and is not himself/herself a smoker) ranging from burning sensation in the eyes or nose, and throat irritation, to cancer, bronchitis, severe asthma, and a decrease in lung function.Biological pollutants. These are mostly allergens that can cause asthma, hay fever, and other allergic diseases. Volatile organic compounds. Volatile compounds can cause irritation of the eye, nose and throat. In severe cases there may be headaches, nausea, and loss of coordination. In the longer run, some of them are suspected to cause damage to the liver and other parts of the body.Formaldehyde. Exposure causes irritation to the eyes, nose and may cause allergies in some people.Lead. Prolonged exposure can cause damage to the nervous system, digestive problems, and in some cases cause cancer. It is especially hazardous to small children.Radon. A radioactive gas that can accumulate inside the house, it originates from the rocks and soil under the house and its level is dominated by the outdoor air and also to some extent the other gases being emitted indoors. Exposure to this gas increases the risk of lung cancer.Ozone. Exposure to this gas makes our eyes itch, burn, and water and it has also been associated with increase in respiratory disorders such as asthma. It lowers our resistance to colds and pneumonia.Oxides of nitrogen. This gas can make children susceptible to respiratory diseases in the winters.Carbon monoxide. CO (carbon monoxide) combines with haemoglobin to lessen the amount of oxygen that enters our blood through our lungs. The binding with other haeme proteins causes changes in the function of the aff
ected organs such as the brain and the cardiovascular system, and also the developing foetus. It can impair our concentration, slow our reflexes, and make us confused and sleepy.Sulphur dioxide. SO₂ (sulphur dioxide) in the air is caused due to the rise in combustion of fossil fuels. It can oxidize and form sulphuric acid mist. SO₂ in the air leads to diseases of the lung and other lung disorders such as wheezing and shortness of breath. Long-term effects are more difficult to ascertain as SO2 exposure isoften combined with that of SPM.SPM (suspended particulate matter). Suspended matter consists of dust, fumes, mist and smoke. The main chemical component of SPM that is of major concern is lead, others being nickel, arsenic, and those present in diesel exhaust. These particles when breathed in, lodge in our lung tissues and cause lung damage and respiratory problems. The importance of SPM as a major pollutant needs special emphasis as a) it affects more people globally than any other pollutant on a continuing basis; b) there is more monitoring data available on this than any other pollutant; and c) more epidemiological evidence has been collected on the exposure to this than to any other pollutant.

How do you get sick?

The human body is extremely vulnerable to germs from bacteria and viruses in the air. Sneezing, sniffling, and incessant coughing are external tell-tale signs the body is fighting to eliminate infection, but what exactly happens internally when foreign invaders attack the immune system? In Life Noggin’s video “What Happens When We Get Sick?” host Patrick Graziosi explains although the immune system combats thousands of bacteria and viruses inhaled from the air, the occasional germ or two sneaks into the body and spreads infection.

Infections with viruses and bacteria can easily be transmitted from person to person, especially in the workplace. A recent survey from Staples found 60 percent of people still show up to work sick, putting their co-workers at risk with their symptoms. A person with a cold can spread infection by coughing and/or sneezing; bacteria or viruses can be passed on by touching or shaking hands with another person.

These foreign bodies have the ability to sneak into the body and get you sick. This leads the mucus membrane to become infected and inflamed, which causes the body to respond by sending more blood to these areas. The increase in blood flow lets loose a greater amount of antibodies and white blood cells that attack anything unusual, according to Life Noggin. As a result, the blood vessels begin to swell to allow this influx of blood.

For example, when you get a sore throat, they press up against nerve endings, which cause soreness. This is a sign that the body is healing itself. The same can be seen when you have a stuffy nose. Before you blow your nose, the mucus membrane secretes mucus to protect the body. This helps trap the bacteria and viruses and provides a good way for them to exit the body through your nose.

Lastly, when we’re sick we're susceptible to fevers caused by pyrogens. Although they can come from outside the body, they are more often than not triggered inside as part of the immune system’s response to invading germs. They cause the hypothalamus to raise the body’s overall temperature, which helps inhibit many viruses and bacteria.  

Remember, the next time you get infection symptoms, they are just your immune system’s way of fighting off foreign invaders. 

Tips for whitening teeth

- Routine. Set up a routine using these remedies and stick to it, at all costs, to get the most out of them.

- While not “natural” per say, using 3% (I repeat, 3%) hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse can whiten your teeth through the process of oxidation. It is an active indigent in many OTC whitening kits, but is often times found in much higher (and expensive) combinations in them.

- It’s fairly common knowledge, and difficult in today’s world, but try to avoid dark drinks, such as coke and coffee that stain your teeth.

Why do teeth get yellow?

To figure out how to whiten our teeth, we have to know why they get yellow in the first place. There are several factors that play a part, including genetics, what kind of food and drink you consume, and how well you practice oral hygiene. A tooth is made up of 4 tissues-enamel, which is the strong white covering that protects the tooth, dentin, which supports the enamel and is a hard yellow material that carries nerves, pulp, which is at the center of the tooth and contains blood and lymph vessels, and cementum, which covers the root of the tooth.The enamel and dentin is what play the biggest role in color. Certain food and drinks will directly stain the enamel, yes, but over time the two biggest culprits are the nasty food and drink that actually break down the enamel, and weakening enamel as we age. As the enamel breaks down, it reveals the yellow dentin underneath. These remedies will focus on whitening teeth that have already lost some white enamel, but it’s also good to keep in mind that doing things to strengthen enamel is just as important so you can keep it from breaking down further. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (or whitening!)

1. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Paste

Baking Soda isn’t a shocker here. Sodium bicarbonate (its official name) is mildly abrasive; gently scrubbing away surface stains to return teeth to a whiter shade. It’s also very alkaline (the opposite of acidic) so I would think if you have a very acidic mouth or eat a lot of acidic food, it could help balance out the Ph, which would be useful as acid breaks down enamel-this is strictly speculation on my part. It will also reduce the acidity of the lemon juice, which acts as a natural bleach of sorts. I use a mixture of baking soda and water on some days, and use the lemon juice on others, as I don’t want to overdo it.

You will need…
-Several teaspoons of baking soda
-Enough lemon juice or water to form a paste
-A toothbrush

Directions
Mix several teaspoons of baking soda with enough fresh lemon juice (or water) to make a paste. Wipe your teeth and any extra saliva off of them with a paper towel. Put a good amount of paste onto your toothbrush and apply.Leave the paste on for 1 minute, then rinse, so as to avoid the acid effecting enamel. If you are using just water you can leave it on for up to 3 minutes.         

2. Strawberry, Salt and Baking Soda Scrub

Strawberries are high in Vitamin C, which can help break-down plaque that is causing your teeth to look yellow. It also has an enzyme called malic acid, which may help to remove surface stains. The salt acts as an abrasive portion of the paste, physically scrubbing away stain-causing gunk, and the baking soda is an extra touch that you can choose to leave out if you’d prefer (I just like to add it to anything involving my teeth.)

You will need…
-1-3 large strawberries
-A pinch of seat salt
-1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (optional)

Directions
Mash the berries into a pulp, and add a pinch of sea salt and ½ teaspoon of baking soda, if you’re using it. Wipe any extra saliva off your teeth with a paper towel, and then apply a generous portion of the mixture to a toothbrush and apply. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then rinse. Do this nightly.

3. Coconut Oil Rinse

I know this sounds absolutely mad (I thought it was crazy too when I first read about it) but rinsing your mouth with coconut oil (called ‘oil pulling’) is a unique, old, remedy that people swear by to help whiten teeth. It doesn’t sound like the most pleasant thing in the world, but I actually don’t mind the taste, and I think it does make a difference in the color of your teeth. It won’t make a difference by “bleaching” per say, but lauric acid in coconut oil can rid your teeth of bacteria found in plaque that can make them yellow. It is also supposed to promote gum health, and help keep your breath fresh.

You will need…
-About a tablespoon of coconut oil

Directions

In the morning, before you brush your teeth, scoop out a tablespoon or a little less (depending on the size of your mouth) of coconut oil. You can either soften it, or just put it in your mouth (I usually do the latter, and just let it soften.) Push, swish, and “pull” the oil through and around your teeth for 10-15 minutes, then spit it out, rinse with water, and brush your teeth.

3. Coconut Oil Rinse

I know this sounds absolutely mad (I thought it was crazy too when I first read about it) but rinsing your mouth with coconut oil (called ‘oil pulling’) is a unique, old, remedy that people swear by to help whiten teeth. It doesn’t sound like the most pleasant thing in the world, but I actually don’t mind the taste, and I think it does make a difference in the color of your teeth. It won’t make a difference by “bleaching” per say, but lauric acid in coconut oil can rid your teeth of bacteria found in plaque that can make them yellow. It is also supposed to promote gum health, and help keep your breath fresh.

You will need…
-About a tablespoon of coconut oil

Directions

In the morning, before you brush your teeth, scoop out a tablespoon or a little less (depending on the size of your mouth) of coconut oil. You can either soften it, or just put it in your mouth (I usually do the latter, and just let it soften.) Push, swish, and “pull” the oil through and around your teeth for 10-15 minutes, then spit it out, rinse with water, and brush your teeth.

what is Eye Cancer?

Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can spread to other areas of the body. To learn more about how cancers start and spread, see What Is Cancer?

An eye cancer starts in the eye. There are different types of eye cancers. To understand eye cancers, it helps to know something about the parts of the eye and what they do

Eyeball

The main part of the eye is the eyeball (also known as the globe), which is mostly filled with a jelly-like material called vitreous humor. The eyeball has 3 main layers: the sclera, the uvea, and the retina.

Sclera: The sclera is the tough, white covering over most of the outside of the eyeball. In the front of the eye it is continuous with the cornea, which is clear to let light through.

Uvea: The uvea is the middle layer of the eyeball. It is where most melanomas of the eye develop. The uvea has 3 main parts:

• The iris is the colored part of the eye (most often blue or brown). It surrounds the pupil, the small opening that lets light enter the eyeball.
• The choroid is a thin, pigmented layer lining the eyeball that nourishes the retina and the front of the eye with blood.
• The ciliary body contains the muscles inside the eye that change the shape of the lens so that the eye can focus on near or distant objects. It also has cells that make aqueous humor, the clear fluid in the front of the eye between the cornea and the lens.

Retina: The retina is the inner layer of cells in the back of the eye. It is made up of specialized nerve cells that are sensitive to light. These light-sensing cells are connected to the brain by the optic nerve. When light enters the eye it passes through the lens, which focuses it on the retina. The pattern of light (image) appearing on the retina is sent through the optic nerve to an area of the brain called the visual cortex, allowing us to see.

Cancers that affect the eyeball are called intraocular (within the eye) cancers.

Orbit

The orbit consists of the tissues surrounding the eyeball. These include muscles that move the eyeball in different directions and the nerves attached to the eye.

Cancers of these tissues are called orbital cancers.

Adnexal structures

Adnexal (accessory) structures include the eyelids and tear glands. Cancers that develop in these tissues are called adnexal cancers.

Cancers in the eye (intraocular cancers)

Two types of cancers can be found in the eye.

Primary intraocular cancers start inside the eyeball. In adults, melanoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer, followed by primary intraocular lymphoma. These 2 cancers are the focus of this document.

In children, retinoblastoma (a cancer that starts in cells in the retina) is the most common primary intraocular cancer, and medulloepithelioma is the next most common (but is still extremely rare). These childhood cancers are discussed in Retinoblastoma.

Secondary intraocular cancers start somewhere else in the body and then spread to the eye. These are not truly “eye cancers,” but they are actually more common than primary intraocular cancers. The most common cancers that spread to the eye are breast and lung cancers. Most often these cancers spread to the part of the eyeball called the uvea. For more information on these types of cancers, see our documents on them.

Intraocular melanoma (melanoma of the eye)

Intraocular melanoma is the most common type of cancer that develops within the eyeball in adults, but it is still fairly rare. Melanomas of the skin are much more common than intraocular melanomas.

Melanomas develop from pigment-making cells called melanocytes. When melanoma develops in the eye, it is usually in the uvea, which is why these cancers are also called uveal melanomas.

About 9 out of 10 intraocular melanomas develop in the choroid or ciliary body (which are parts of the uvea). Choroid cells make the same kind of pigment as melanocytes in the skin, so it’s not surprising that these cells sometimes form melanomas.

Most of the other intraocular melanomas start in the iris (also part of the uvea). These are the easiest for a person (or their doctor) to see because they often start in a dark spot on the iris that has been present for many years and then begins to grow. These melanomas usually are fairly slow growing, and they rarely spread to other parts of the body. For these reasons, people with iris melanomas generally have a good prognosis (outlook).

Intraocular melanomas are generally made up of 2 different kinds of cells.

• Spindle cells: These are long, thin cells.
• Epithelioid cells: These cells are almost round but with some straight edges.

Most tumors have both kinds of cells. The outlook is better if the tumors are mostly spindle cells as opposed to mostly epithelioid cells. Epithelioid tumors are more likely to spread to distant parts of the body (such as the liver). If you have intraocular melanoma, your doctor can tell you which type of cells were found.

Primary intraocular lymphoma (lymphoma of the eye)

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in immune system cells called lymphocytes. Most lymphomas start in lymph nodes, which are bean-sized collections of immune system cells scattered throughout the body. Lymphomas can also start in internal organs such as the stomach, lungs, and rarely, in the eyes.

There are 2 main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Primary intraocular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Most people with primary intraocular lymphoma are elderly or have immune system problems such as AIDS. Primary intraocular lymphoma is often seen along with lymphoma of the brain, known as primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphomaCancers of the orbit and adnexa develop from tissues such as muscle, nerve, and skin around the eyeball and are like their counterparts in other parts of the body. These are described in our other documents on cancers of muscle, nerve, skin, etc. For example, cancers of the eyelid are usually skin cancers, which are described in our documents on skin cancers (Melanoma Skin Cancer and Skin Cancer: Basal and Squamous Cell). Muscle cancer is described in Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Achieving a strong and Healthy mind

Learn to be mindful. Mindfulness is basically taking a moment to be aware of your feelings and senses at a particular point in time, without trying to analyze or judge anything. Many of the day-to-day things we do with our mind can be stressful and tiring. Taking a moment to be mindful, on a regular basis, can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve your mood and feelings, and help you concentrate on the more important things in life. Some methods of being mindful are as follows

• Pay close attention to other people. Learn more about someone - how they think, why they are the way they are - without using any judgements or applying any stereotypes.
• Look at the world as if you’ve never seen it before. Try to take notice of things you take for granted.                                                                                                            Meditate. There is almost nothing bad about meditation. It helps increase your immune function, relieves pain, decreases inflammation, helps depression and anxiety, helps you regulate your emotions, physically changes your brain for the better, makes your memory better and much more. If you have never meditated before, learn how to concentrate first - sit still, close your eyes if you want, and focus on a single point. The point can be your breathing, a specific word, staring at a specific object, or even counting something. Focus on the object for as long as you can. If you notice your mind wandering, bring it back into focus. Once you get good at this method of concentration meditation, move onto more difficult forms of meditation                                                                                                                      Boost your self-confidence and self-esteem. Self-confidence and self-esteem are an important part of having a strong and healthy body. Decreased self-esteem/self-confidence can be brought on by physical events, and can start an endless cycle of feeling bad mentally and physically. There are, however, many things you can do to help yourself increase your self-esteem/confidence every day:
  • Look the part. Pay attention to what you wear and how you look. Wear things that make you feel comfortable and yourself. Don’t dress in a trend that isn’t you. The more confident you look, the more confident you’ll feel.
  • Start crossing things off your to do list. Sometimes we have so much on our plate that the little, mundane things like doing the dishes or laundry get put aside. Take the time to get those small things out of the way - they’re accomplishments too!
  • If needed, don’t spend time with people who make you feel small, or break down your self-esteem. And stay away from places that make you feel bad or have negative memories. If that isn’t possible, develop a plan to re-build your memory of a person or place in a more positive light                             Think positively. Take the time to recognize when you’re feeling down, or thinking negative thoughts. Try to overcome negative thoughts with positive ones. Think about the good things in your life. Try to be optimistic. Think about the things you feel guilty about and formally forgive yourself. Turn mistakes into learning opportunities. Don’t hold onto grudges. Reward yourself for the good and positive things you do in your life. Try not to aim for perfection in everything you do.
    • Have fun! Do what you actually enjoy doing - on a regular basis. Try new and exciting things. Do something nice for someone else. Set some goals for yourself, easy or challenging, or both, and work towards them. Make sure you take the time to relax every now and again, and if necessary, do nothing. Just be yourself.                                                                                                         
       

Teeth Whitening Tips

Before you can get that Hollywood smile, it's critical to have a dental exam to ensure that your mouth is healthy. "Dental problems such as cavities and gum disease need to be addressed before bleaching," says Eric Klein, DDS, a dentist in Norwalk, Connecticut. Here's why it's so important: "Dentists often see people with a mouth full of cavities who want a whiter mouth before they have a healthy mouth," says William Graves, DDS, a dentist based in Southwest Nebraska. "But if you don't address these issues you will have pain and sensitivity when you try to bleach." (Here's how you can whiten your teeth naturally at home.)

We're all immediate gratification junkies, but bleaching your teeth several shades in one day with an in-office laser treatment may not be the most comfortable option. "Bleaching can cause sensitivity, and even sometimes pain in the teeth or mouth," Dr. Graves says. Most dentists use a special fluoride desensitizing paste before performing whitening procedures to avoid increased sensitivity and discomfort, but some sensitivity following bleaching is considered normal. "That's why sometimes slow and steady is better, however," Dr. Graves adds, so you might want to skip the in-office treatment and go straight to the custom take-home trays. Try these toothache home remedies to ease the pain.

In fact, you'll probably need to use those custom trays at home if you don't want to see your sparkle lose its luster. Teeth whitening requires commitment and maintenance. "You can't bleach it and forget it," Dr. Graves says. In fact, you can expect that shiny white color to fade within about six months unless you do monthly touch-ups at home with a professional-strength product. Just don't use tooth-whitening products too often, though. Research shows that such products "wear away microscopic amounts of tooth enamel, which could increase tooth sensitivity, and even cause tooth decay.

IWhile in-office, light-activated procedures can jumpstart the whitening process, professional take-home kits sold in dental offices work very well to keep your pearly whites, well, pearly, compared to teeth-whitening products found in drug stores. According to Dr. Klein, custom whitening molds can be extremely effective in teeth whitening at home, especially when combined with a light-activated procedure.