Dr. Rajender

Air pollution is known to take a toll on the lungs of even the healthiest adults. So it comes as no surprise that the effects of this pollution on the lungs of children is deemed as a grave situation, full of health hazards including the onset of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders and conditions like asthma (learn more about asthma problem). Read on to find out more about the link between air pollution and its effect on the lungs of children.

Children's Lungs: Mostly, all the organs of a child's body are considered delicate and not fully matured until the child reaches a certain age. The main and largest part of the child's lungs will usually grow only after the child has been born, much like the arms and legs. In fact, it is a medically proven fact that about 80% of the tiniest of air sacs grow after the child's birth. These are called the alveoli and they facilitate the transfer of the oxygen into the blood stream with a life sustaining function that is built into our lungs. These alveoli continue to grow until the child becomes an adult. 

Immunity and Infections: Like the lungs of the child, the immunity of the child is also still in its growth phase, and very much unlike the immunity that an adult enjoys. This makes the child more susceptible to infections that are usually carried by air pollution in today's day and age of urban living when myriad pollutants are sent into the air every single day. Also, since children play outdoors more often and spend more time breathing in this air, they are more prone to these infections and lung or respiratory ailments due to this reason. Various studies and tests have shown inflammation in the respiratory passages caused by deposits of carbon dioxide emissions in the lungs of children.

Symptoms: Usually, the very first symptoms that show that air pollution is affecting the child's lungs can be seen when persistent coughing and wheezing sets in, without any proper reason. Also, when the child faces bronchial infections time and time again, then this points at the hazardous effects of air pollution as well. 

Respiratory problems: Apart from respiratory problem, which can lead to asthmatic attacks, hay fever and allergies as well as other COPD ailments, there are other related dangers. These can happen when constant choking and obstruction of oxygen due to pollution become a regular affair. These include strokes and brain damage which can eventually also lead to a higher risk of dementia. 

The government and citizens need to ensure that there is a drop in particle air pollution so as to ensure that children do not fall prey to such health problems.

Joint pains can be a cluttered affair and believe it or not 9 out of the 10 cases have to live with the pain despite all the treatment options aiming to reduce the agony. There may be several instances where you might be coming across the term “joint replacement surgery”. No, no need to panic! We are not living in the 1960’s anymore. We are living in the age of cut throat medical innovations that is actually hard to keep up. To sum up in a layman’s turn joint replacements have become as easy as dressing a wound. 90% of the cases are carried out within few hours and the patient is required to stay not more than a day or two at the hospital. the patients no longer have to dedicate a part of our lives for the recovery. Let us have an in-depth look at it.

One shouldn't wait for the condition of knee joints to get worse and visit a well-known orthopaedic and go ahead for the procedure. Since, it involves the portion of your knee cartilage or a portion of the joint being scrapped/cut to pave way for the artificial joint parts to be attached getting the best treatment is a must. So, make no mistakes!

Knee replacement has always been a complex procedure but with the advancements in the field, the process has become much more simple and easy. Discuss the procedure in detail with your doctor and also ensure that you choose a clinic with a good reputation for such a course of action. Joint replacements in today's time last much longer and with proper maintenance and care, they can in some cases, last for a life time.

Once you have decided to go for the treatment get a detailed list of activities that can be carried out for a speedy recovery. Usually, these would involve medications and physiotherapy exercises. Also, the recovery period is minimal and once completely cured, you can get back to normal day to day activities. Do note that you go in for an authentic and established replacement center and avoid falling prey to the fly by wire clinics that have mushroomed in every street corner. Also, ensure that you choose the procedure that fits your budget and insurance plan.

Joint replacement procedures usually do not require any maintenance and if needed you might have to go for regular checkups to make sure that the joints carry on well. Choose the best clinic for the replacements and live a healthy and fruitful life. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Orthopedist.