Breathe easy: Aspirin may reduce adverse effects of air pollution on lungs
According to a study, aspirin mitigates the inflammation caused by air pollution.
By PTI |
BOSTON: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin may lessen the adverse effects of air pollution exposure on lung function, a study claims.
Researchers from Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, and Harvard Chan School of Public Health in the US analysed a subset of data collected from a cohort of 2,280 males from the greater Boston area who were given tests to determine their lung function.
The average age of participants in the study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, was 73 years.
Lung function tests include a variety of tests that check how well the lungs work.
The researchers examined the relationship between test results, self-reported NSAID use, and ambient particulate matter (PM) and black carbon in the month preceding the test, while accounting for a variety of factors, including the health status of the subject and whether or not they were smokers.
They found that the use of any NSAID nearly halved the effect of PM on lung function, with the association consistent across all four weekly air pollution measurements from same-day to 28 days prior to the lung function test.
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Since most of the people in the study who took NSAIDs used aspirin, the researchers said the modifying effect they observed was mainly from the drug.
However, they added that the effects of non-aspirin NSAIDs are worthy of further exploration.
While the mechanism is unknown, the researchers, including those from Boston University School of Medicine in the US, speculate that NSAIDs mitigate inflammation brought about by air pollution.
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"Our findings suggest that aspirin and other NSAIDs may protect the lungs from short-term spikes in air pollution," said Xu Gao, a post-doctoral research scientist at the Columbia Mailman School.
"Of course, it is still important to minimise our exposure to air pollution, which is linked to a host of adverse health effects, from cancer to cardiovascular disease," Gao said.
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An earlier study by researchers found that B vitamins may also play a role in reducing the health impact of air pollution.
Air Pollution Causing Acne And Dull Skin? Quick Beauty Hacks To Get The Glow Back
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The air pollution index has reached the 'severe' mark in Delhi and neighbouring cities are enveloped in a blanket of smog. It is not easy to avoid skin problems like acne when surrounded by poor air quality.
Uma Singh, medical consultant at Ozone Organic Advantage, and The Body Shop's Head Trainer Shikhee Agrawal, share some simple, precautionary tips that will let your skin breathe.
(Image: ThinkStock Photos)
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Don't take fitness lightly. Regular exercise can help reduce stress and delivers the right amount of oxygen to the skin cells. Perspiring during workout will keep toxins away, and make your skin healthy and acne-free.
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Avoid touching your pimples and breakouts as it triggers infection. Popping a pimple will cause skin irritated or inflamed resulting in swelling, scarring and redness. Wash hands regularly with anti-bacterial soap/hand wash before touching your face.
Apart from that, keep your face clean with facial scrubs, moisturisers and masks. Opt for an acne medication that has a potent pimple/acne reduction activity or the ability to prevent occurrence of pimples/acne.
Also, always use a sunscreen.
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It is extremely important to keep your hair clean and dandruff-free. Negligence can result in acne.
To protect your hair against pollution, always wear washed caps, headbands and scarves. When visiting a salon, avoid using another person's towel as it may carry infections resulting in risk of acne, redness and skin inflammation.
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Remove make-up before going to bed as this lowers the risk of breakouts. Also, go for the minimal make-up as it lets the skin breathe and look natural.
Essential oils help in treating skin inflammations and acne. A combination of various essential oils like tea tree oil, moringa oil, lemon oil, chamomile oil and lavender oil will treat the acne effectively.
(Inputs from IANS)
Remove make-up before going to bed as this lowers the risk of breakouts. Also, go for the minimal make-up as it lets the skin breathe and look natural.
Essential oils help in treating skin inflammat..
