How smog affects the health of seniors

Everyone knows that smog causes numerous health problems. Unfortunately, in the case of older people, polluted air can be a serious threat to health and even life.

Why are seniors particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of smog?

The immune system of older people is usually much weaker than that of younger people - this is influenced by numerous diseases, old age and chronic respiratory or circulatory diseases. Reduced immunity makes the body susceptible to further diseases and difficulties in fighting them. Smog not only causes new ailments, but can also worsen existing diseases. During short contact with polluted air, older people may experience a scratchy throat, irritated conjunctiva or problems with concentration. Although these ailments may seem harmless to health or life, these are just a few of the diseases that smog can cause. Long-term breathing of polluted air leads to pneumonia, asthma, aggravation of allergies and in serious cases even to the development of cancer. It is also worth mentioning that in the case of seniors, smog has negative effects not only on the respiratory and circulatory systems, but also on the nervous system. Breathing heavily polluted air can cause changes similar to those occurring in people with Alzheimer's disease.

How to protect older people from smog?

The effects of long-term exposure to polluted air can be tragic for older people. It is important to build awareness among seniors and inform them about the dangers of smog. It is worth informing older people about how and where they can monitor air quality and check smog reports. When pollution standards are exceeded and going out is not necessary, they should stay at home. If they have to leave the apartment and cannot ask someone else to do their shopping, it is worth encouraging older people to use certified anti-smog masks, which will limit the inhalation of harmful substances. As we have mentioned many times on the blog, the quality of air in homes is just as important as the air outside. If an elderly person does not leave their home for a long time, it is important that they do not stay in a polluted room. Air purifiers and plants that help filter the air will be helpful.