Over the last few months, Dragon Respiratory has been super busy delivering lots of online education on asthma, COPD and spirometry – equipping healthcare professionals with the skills and confidence to manage the patients in their care.
One of the topics I have started dedicating more time towards is that of air pollution, and the detrimental effect in can have on our lungs and health. The recently published report by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) ‘A breath of fresh air’ revealed some very concerning data. Air pollution affects each one of us, and it is the largest environmental health risk globally, causing loss of healthy years of life and premature death. It impacts throughout the whole life course, and it is not only the outdoor air pollution that we should be concerned about, also the impact that indoor air pollution has on our health. The report tells us that more than one in 19 deaths in UK cities and large towns are related to chronic exposure to air pollution and the effects start early: with substantial effects occurring in organ development in utero. Links have also been made to cardiovascular disease, some types of cancers, dementia, and of course lung disease (to name just a few).
For those with asthma, COPD and other lung conditions, breathing in toxic air is particularly harmful as the lungs are already vulnerable. Air pollution can increase airway inflammation, reduce oxygen exchange, and trigger flare-ups. As healthcare professionals we need to ensure that we are providing our patients with practical and clear information on the best way to manage their lung condition, combining education with actionable advice. For example, helping patients to check daily air quality, using the DEFRA website or Air Quality Wales, or advising on ‘high pollution day’ precautions such as closing windows and avoiding outdoor exercise.
Asthma & Lung UK have some really useful information that you can direct patients towards regarding air pollution and lung disease. In my opinion, discussions around air pollution should form an integral part of the asthma and COPD annual review, as we know that it is a significant and modifiable risk factor for exacerbations and disease progression. How exactly do we fit this in to a 20-minute consultation? Think sprinkle, don’t shovel – integrate it into conversation rather than treating it separate entity.