It’s that time of the year again. Silk zardosis, silverware and other fineries come out of the storage. Plans are made for late night card parties. Sandesh is sourced from Kolkata and delivery guys are booked for sending across those lavishly curated hampers. 

Amidst family gatherings and revelries stretched over days and nights, those two triangular baglike spongy pink organs snuggled comfortably inside the rib cage; yes your lungs – are working overtime. Part of the respiratory system, they are responsible for transporting oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. Breathing is something that you do all day everyday without conscious knowledge.

For a few years now, it is a harsh and unfortunate fact that air pollution increases during Diwali. Not from the crackers but also due to crop burning, vehicle emissions and climatic conditions in these months. It isn’t good for anybody (young and old alike) as it can make physical work like intense exercising difficult. Chances of asthma and other respiratory allergies increase during this season. Take for example, the country’s capital, Delhi’s air quality worsened days ahead of Diwali; air pollution surged to nearly 15 times World Health Organisation safety limits for particulate matter. The PM 2.5 concentration in the city was 74 microns per cubic metre. Tiny pollution particles (also known as particulate matter) stay in the air for long and can get deep into your lungs and bloodstream. What does this lead to?

• It makes your asthma symptoms worse
• Decreases your lung function and can cause acute respiratory inflammation
• Increased particulate matter in air is linked to heart conditions too
• Decreased lung function can cause other related health issues including cardiac diseases
• In worst case scenario, it leads to lung cancer

Some of the prevalent pollutants in the air are:

• Arsenic
• Lead
• Nitrates
• Organic Carbon
• Sulfates
• Black Carbon
• Copper
• Cadmium

There are several ways to strengthen your lungs ahead of this season. Diaphramic breathing, that is a part of several pranayams is one. Today, there are many apps and podcasts that can teach you how to go about guided breathing, slow breathing and other techniques. Aerobic exercises like swimming, cycling and jogging help too.

A few handy tips to protect you from respiratory inflammation here, because we care:

• Face masks designed to filter out particles (such as an N95 or FFP2 mask)  help keep some bit of pollution out of your lungs.
• Smoking should be avoided during this season as it is an added burden on your lungs.
• Upping fluid intake helps in thinning mucus lining in your lungs and even airways. Thick mucus slows down the respiratory system making you susceptible to illnesses. 
• Go easy on the alcohol during parties.
• Eat clean foods because they not only keep immunity up but also are anti-inflammatory in nature. 
• Air purifiers in your homes help filter indoor air.
• Tests for asthma and inhalants can help you find out what causes the trouble and tackle it pronto.