Indoor pollution is hazardous because the pollutants get trapped inside our houses, and they have no way to escape. Cigarette smoking, household cleaning products, mosquito repellents and heating of fuels like wood, kerosene, coal; all are some of the causes that lead to indoor pollution.
Around three million people cook using inefficient fuels and cooking techniques on open fires and stoves. Approximately four million die prematurely from illness attributable to in-house air pollution. Women and children are more affected because they spend more time at home. The use of biomass as a cooking fuel was found to be significantly associated with a high prevalence of active tuberculosis.
Due to indoor air pollution in India, about two million premature deaths take place every year. Around 44% are due to pneumonia, 54% are due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 2% from lung cancer.
Indoor air pollution
Pollutants trapped inside our houses, reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity leading to respiratory tract infections, asthma, pneumonia and other issues like diabetes and blood pressure. They not only lead to cardiovascular and respiratory problems but issues related to the endocrine system as well. Decreased fertility, a suspected risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and underweight babies, are also the health risks that may happen due to indoor pollution. Eye problems like cataract are also caused due to air pollution.
We can not really avoid pollutants, but we can surely take care of ourselves while at home. Keeping our windows open throughout the day and avoiding the use of room fresheners are some of the solutions. Here, we can also supplement our health with few homoeopathic medicines.
Respiratory issues, problems related to cardiovascular and nervous system all can be tackled with homoeopathy. Homoeopathic medicines like Pothos, Silica, Acid-flour and Grindelia help to cure cough and aggravated asthma. Antim-Ars, Lobelia, Kali-bichrom help in cases of COPD. Antim Ars and Kali-bi bronchiectasis are effective homoeopathic medicines for emphysema and for emphysema respectively. In cases like palpitation and high blood pressure medicines like Viscum Album and Lachesis help.
A 68-year-old man, with a history of smoking, visited my clinic as he suffered from cough and expectoration which troubled him for the past 16 years. Though he quit smoking long back, now he was facing a tough time. I prescribed him the required medicines, and after a follow up of three weeks, his expectoration reduced, however, his cough persisted. At present, he takes the treatment, and his symptoms are entirely under control.
In our houses, we use mosquito coils, perfumes and insect repellents. However, the fumes and chemicals can cause aggravated breathlessness, wheezing and cough.
A 39-year-old lady was suffering from bronchial asthma and was extremely weak as she was barely able to walk and communicate. Her exacerbation was due to spraying of insect repellent at her home. She was prescribed homoeopathic medicines that complemented her previous medication. Her wheeze completely reduced post two hours of consuming the medicines, when examined at my clinic for a day. At the end of the day, her symptoms rapidly reduced, and she was discharged.
Plastic pollution
Plastic is a chosen raw material due to its benefits, such as impermeability and cost-effectiveness. It is evident through water bottles and food storage boxes. However, it has also started entering our food as well. Its consumption can cause cancers and endocrine system disruptions.
BPA (bisphenol A) found in plastic affects the thyroid hormone causing ‘hypothyroidism’. In females, it leads to early puberty and altered hormone levels while in males, decreased fertility and aggressive behaviour are observed symptoms. ‘Phthalates’ found in toys, baby care products and cosmetics may cause endocrine disruption. Children between the ages of 6-11 years, when exposed to Phthalates show, decreased sperm count and motility.
All the hypothyroidism patients are advised to avoid the use of plastic, especially while storing warm food. Reduction in the usage of plastic can control thyroid hormone levels. If we supplement this with medicines like Bromium, Lapis Alba, and Calc-carb hypothyroidism can be taken care of. Other drugs are Iodum, Argentum Nit and Aur Met. These medicines are prescribed only based on reports and cases. Hormonal imbalance in females leading to delayed or irregular menses is on an increasing rate. Homoeopathic medicines like Jonosia Asoka, Senecio are useful in hormonal imbalance cases and to restore the menstrual cycle.
Indoor chemical pollution
Inhaling chemicals through paints, cosmetics, etc., is one of the causes leading to indoor chemical pollution. Only coming in contact with those chemicals or inhaling, leads to diseases like eye irritation, dermatitis, skin rashes and respiratory tract infections. From skin complaints, eye complaints to rise in alopecia and hair fall, everything can be treated with the help of homoeopathy.
Skin complaints: When chemicals come in contact with the skin, chemicals burn, rawness and scaling of wounds are the usual issues. For these, Causticum, Cantharis, and Sol are used. In the case of dermatitis, petroleum and Sulphur can be used.
Eye complaints: Chemical fumes and vapours lead to eye irritation and redness. This can be cured by Euphrasia, Arg-nit, Merc and Rhus tox.
Alopecia and hair fall: Homoeopathic medicines like Phosphoric Acid, Phosphorus and Wiesbaden are useful for hair fall cases which cannot be attributed to nutritional or emotional causes.
A 17-year-old girl visited my clinic with complaints of rash around her eyes with redness and watering of eyes. This was due to the recent bleaching done on her face. I then prescribed suitable eye drops and medicines. After a follow up of one week, her symptoms were relieved.
Another lady complained of her cough and breathlessness. Her history did not reveal asthma or bronchitis. Her cough and breathlessness were because of the recent painting done at her home. The prescribed homoeopathic medicines and a follow up revealed her to be symptom-free.
Few alternatives to reduce the effect of pollutants on our body:
Use of organic fertilizers for the home garden.
Use of green cleaning products.
Use of steel or glass utensils, especially in the microwave.
Checking the plastic items, you buy to be BPA free.
References
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Vom Sal and F.S. Hughes Environmental Health Perspect 2006
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Annual Review of Public health: Plastics and Health risks (21.04.2010.)
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Environmental Chemistry by Baird, Colin
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Indian Journal of Community Medicine Oct-Dec 2014: Indoor Air Pollution in India: Implications on health and its control
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Repertories by Ajit Kulkarni
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Special and Regional Repertory (Balbir)
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Respiration by Dr E.B.Nash