Living Healthy Despite Pollution!

Living healthy despite pollution

Polluted air and water have harmful effects on the human body; however, awareness and medical treatment can help in living healthy.

With our negligence and irresponsible behavior we have severely polluted our environment; now it kills about 90 lac people per year. One in every eight deaths is due to air pollution in India, as per a 2017 record. According to a WHO study conducted in 2017, over one lac children died in India due to air pollution. An assessment in 2015 revealed that 80% of the surface water was contaminated. We create these problems, and we face the consequences. However, awareness, proper healthcare and hygiene can resolve the issues.

Air Pollution

Air surrounding us consists of dust, smoke and chemicals and is a pathway towards different diseases. Respiratory tract infections and irritation, bronchial asthma, ischaemic heart disease, stroke etc., are caused due to air pollution. Covering our nose and mouth with a handkerchief isn’t enough anymore! At times we develop breathlessness, cough and feel feverish; homeopathy has a wide range of medicines to help you with such conditions.

A six-year-old boy complained about a cough and fever when he came to my clinic. A cough was triggered by exposure to vehicular smoke. For both, his cough and fever, I prescribed Aconite 200 CH and suggested a protein-rich diet to support the medicines. After the symptoms reduced, I prescribed Calc-p 30CH to ensure that its symptoms do not reoccur.

Along with smoke and dust, sprays, perfumes or chemicals like gulal too, can result in breathlessness, wheezing and aggravated asthma, if the person is sensitive. Six pills of Ipecac 30CH, given every hour for five doses as soon as patient experiences breathing difficulty provides great relief in such cases. There are other remedies too based on more detailed case history.

A sixteen-year-old girl had a history of suffering from frequent breathlessness, especially during the Ganesh Chaturthi processions. I prescribed her Ipecac 30CH, every half hour for two hours and monitored at our clinic for a day. It resulted in reduced breathlessness immediately after the second dose. Even now, she carries a bottle of Ipecac 30CH and follows the prescribed dosage to get relief in case of emergencies.

Air pollution also affects other organs besides the respiratory system and lungs; we cannot ignore eye irritation and allergies that may later worsen. People allergic to dust particles, kilns smoke, perfumes and sprays may develop an allergic cough and cold. Homeopathy works wonders with such allergic cough and cold. A lady, who came for her treatment regarding her continuous sneezing and acrid, watery nasal discharge, was suffering from allergies. She was allergic to perfumes, detergents and house dust. She was prescribed Natrum–Mur 200CH, and after one year of regular treatment, she was symptom-free.

Another issue is eye irritation or redness of the eye. Homeopathic medicine like Euphrasia 30CH along with Euphrasia eye drops can be used to cure eye irritation and redness. A three-year-old girl faced itchy eyes and eye redness. For this, she was prescribed Sulphur 30CH, and a follow up after two weeks relieved her of health issue.

Water pollution

We all know it is advisable to drink purified or boiled water. Water contains microbes, pathogens and chemicals which lead to water pollution. Diarrhoea, hepatitis A and E, typhoid, cholera, roundworm and threadworm infestation in the stomach, are caused due to drinking polluted water. Along with these, arsenic poisoning, which leads to diarrhea, dehydration and exhaustion, is another hazard of consuming contaminated water. Prolonged exposure to arsenic poisoning can also lead to bladder and skin cancer. A host of skin diseases are also caused by coming in contact with polluted water.

People, who suffer from hepatitis A, should follow a low-fat diet. A person suffering from hepatitis may feel tired and nauseatic. Homeopathic medicines like Card-Mar, Chelidonium, Chionanthus, Lycopodium help with such symptoms. Remember, a bit of hygiene like regularly washing hands before consuming food or water and drinking boiled, or purified water can prevent Hepatitis A. In case of typhoid, homeopathic medicines such as Baptisia, Arnica, and Muriatic acid are useful. Even after treatment, if the typhoid symptoms like constipation, vomiting and headache continue, Bryonia or Phos-acid could be prescribed to help the patients.

A 34-year-old lady complained of nausea and uneasiness while consuming food. She was diagnosed with jaundice after examination. After prescribing her Lycopodium for a week, she got rid of nausea and uneasy feeling. She was put on a maintenance dose to improve her liver function as well.

A 30-year-old man suffering from fever and extreme weakness visited my clinic. The tests revealed typhoid. I prescribed him Muriatic acid 200CH; however, body pain persisted. I advised him to follow a light, more liquid-diet. In the next ten days, he was symptom-free.

Pollution is now inevitable; homeopathy can help you deal with pollution-related ailments and help you lead a healthy life.