{"id":25678,"date":"2020-09-25T14:40:52","date_gmt":"2020-09-25T18:40:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatsgood.vitaminshoppe.com\/?p=25678"},"modified":"2020-10-26T09:06:27","modified_gmt":"2020-10-26T13:06:27","slug":"stay-healthy-in-poor-air-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/stay-healthy-in-poor-air-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Stay Healthy In Areas With Poor Air Quality"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">As wildfires continue to cause destruction across the western United States, many Americans are currently living amidst varying degrees of hazardous air quality.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">These fires create <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/pm-pollution\/health-and-environmental-effects-particulate-matter-pm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s2\">particulate matter<\/span><\/a> (or PM), which is dangerous when inhaled into human lungs, tissues, and blood. \u201cThis smoke can irritate and hurt your nose, throat, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and worsen <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/news\/2019\/07\/22\/where-theres-wildfire-smoke-there-may-be-heart-problems%25250A%252520%252520https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/news\/2019\/07\/22\/where-theres-wildfire-smoke-there-may-be-heart-problems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s2\">chronic heart<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lung.org\/clean-air\/emergencies-and-natural-disasters\/wildfires\"><span class=\"s2\">lung diseases<\/span><\/a>,\u201d warns Steve Rad, M.D., a physician at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. \u201cIt can cause wheezing, asthma attacks, coughing, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, headache, watery and burning dry eyes, chest pain, irregular and fast heartbeat, fatigue, and even heart attacks.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Those with pre-existing health conditions\u2014like asthma, COPD, heart or lung disease, and diabetes\u2014are most sensitive, according to research published in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3155438\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>Canadian Family Physician<\/i><\/span><\/a>. Senior citizens, pregnant women, and infants and children also face increased risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">If you\u2019re living in an area with compromised air quality as a result of the current fires, your concern is understandable\u2014and totally justified. Luckily, there are a few important steps you can take to safeguard your health. Doctors recommend these five precautions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>1. Stay Informed And Prepared<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The news might be especially scary right now, but it\u2019s important to stay tuned into your local news for emergency announcements, as fires travel and shift direction quickly. \u201cFire and public officials issue alerts on air quality and the current activity of the wildfire,\u201d notes Frank Coletta, M.D., Chief of Critical Care Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York. \u201cIf a prolonged state of emergency is anticipated, be sure to stock up on groceries and medications.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>2. Limit Exposure to the Outdoors<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While you might not <i>want<\/i> to stay cooped inside right now, it\u2019s the safest way to limit your exposure to smoke and avoid the toxic effects of poor air quality. \u201cThe air from forest fires can be filled with soot and debris, so it\u2019s best to minimize outdoor activities and exposure to the poor air quality,\u201d says Osita Onugha, M.D., assistant professor of thoracic surgical oncology at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica. \u201cThe best thing is to try to remain indoors to decrease the amount of soot you inhale.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>3. Keep indoor air as clean as possible<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While inside, keep windows, vents, blinds, and doors closed. You should also set air conditioners to \u2018recirculate\u2019 mode and keep filters clean so that outdoor dirty air and smoke don\u2019t get inside, recommends Rad. \u201cAvoid things that can increase indoor air pollution, such as fireplaces, gas stoves, candles, incense, smoking, and vacuuming,\u201d he adds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/breathing-exercises\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">These Breathing Exercises Will Help You Feel Calm At Home<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">If you don\u2019t own one already, now is a great time to invest in a portable HEPA filter air purifier. These devices extract any particulates that find their way into your home. \u201cFor those with central air conditioning, install a medium-(MERV 5-8) or high-efficiency (MERV 9-12) air filter,\u201d says Coletta.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>4. Wear protection when outside<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Whenever you <i>do<\/i> have to go outside, wear a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/p\/reusable-protective-face-mask-silvadur\/sld0003\">properly fitted mask<\/a>. Yes, even if it\u2019s a quick trip down your driveway and into your car, Coletta recommends. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWhen in your car, reduce the smoke in your vehicle by keeping the windows shut and running the air conditioner on \u2018recirculate\u2019 mode to avoid the entrance of outside air,\u201d he adds. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>5. Take precautions when cleaning up<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Once the fires subside, massive cleanup efforts will be necessary in many communities. Protecting yourself from the harmful effects of ash will be paramount. In addition to a mask, Coletta recommends wearing gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and goggles. Avoid any direct contact with ash and wash off any that gets on your skin as soon as possible. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Another tip: \u201cBefore sweeping, gently wet dry ash to avoid kicking particles in the air,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd, only use a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum.\u201d Of course, those at high risk (older adults, children, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing conditions) should avoid cleaning altogether.<\/span><span class=\"s3\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>6. Load up on certain nutrients<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While it\u2019s always important to eat healthily, it\u2019s especially crucial when living amidst poor air quality, notes The Vitamin Shoppe nutritionist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/lp\/nutritionists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s4\">Brittany Michels<\/span><\/a>, R.D. \u201cCertain nutrients have respiratory benefits, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/c\/vitamin-c\/N-cp99i1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">vitamin C<\/a>, which may aid in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6240669\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s2\">protecting the lungs<\/span><\/a>,\u201d she says. To ramp up your intake, you can take up to 2,000 or 3,000 milligrams per day, split up between the morning, lunchtime, and evening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/vitamin-c-foods\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">10 Sources Of Vitamin C That Aren&#8217;t Oranges<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/zinc\/\"><span class=\"s4\">Zinc<\/span><\/a>, an immune-boosting nutrient, also plays a role in respiratory health, immune function, cell division and growth, and protein metabolism,\u201d she adds. Women need at least eight milligrams daily, while men need 11. Shellfish, red meat, and legumes are all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/high-zinc-foods\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s2\">good sources of the mineral<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Another supplement worth considering right now: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/c\/protect-yourself-boost-your-immune-system\/N-cp9a8t\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">bromelain<\/a>, an enzyme found in pineapple, which can support sinus and respiratory health. Michels recommends taking up to 3,000 milligrams, split up throughout the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><b><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\"><em>Diggin\u2019 What\u2019s Good? For more essential health facts, tips, and inspiration, joi<\/em><em>n our Facebook community,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/EatingHealthyVitaminShoppe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eating Healthy<\/a>, today!<\/em><\/span><\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As wildfires continue to cause destruction across the western United States, many Americans are currently living amidst varying degrees of hazardous air quality. These fires create particulate matter (or PM), which is dangerous when inhaled into human lungs, tissues, and blood. \u201cThis smoke can irritate and hurt your nose, throat, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/stay-healthy-in-poor-air-quality\/\">Read More <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How To Stay Healthy In Areas With Poor Air Quality<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":25680,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-the-latest"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.7 - 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