Tips To Protect Eyes And Ears From The Influence Of Air Pollution

Eye and Ear illustration (Photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Air pollution turns out to affect the health of the eyes and ears. General practitioner dr. Madhita Kasoem, M.Sc, Aud-vestMed stated that outdoor activities when air pollution is in the highest index are unavoidable. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the eyes and ears.

"Pollusion is dusty, it will irritate the eyes," said dr. Madhita when quoted from ANTARA, Wednesday, September 6.

According to the doctor gathered in the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI), therefore, it is better to use protective equipment or eye protection tools to avoid the impact that can be caused on eye health. "More use of protection, glasses, it will reduce," said Madhita.

In addition, air pollution can also affect ear health. In general, the ears are divided into three parts, namely the outer ear, middle ear, and the inner ear and have links to several health problems caused by air pollution and other factors.

"For pollution, there is usually an allergic relationship, then if you cough or have a cold, the relationship is in the middle ear," said the doctor who graduated from Trisakti University.

As for air pollution can cause problems in the respiratory tract, one of which is an allergic or Rhinitis allergy to some people. Allergillary or Rhinitis allergies themselves are different from colds due to infection.

Rhinitis allergist adalah peradanan pada bagian dalam nasal yang disebabkan oleh alergen, yaitu zat penggerer allergi, seperti debu dan unparticle poluksi. Lain halnya dengan pilek infeksi, yakni pilek yang disebabkan oleh virus dan bacteri.

When exposed to allergens originating from air pollution, the immune system reacts because it considers the allergen to be a dangerous object. This causes the body to produce a number of chemicals that make the mucus membrane of the nose swell and the production of mucus in the nose increase.

Although different, the allergic rhinitis has several symptoms similar to the infection cold, namely sneezing, runny nose, itching, and congestion. These symptoms usually appear shortly after being exposed to allergen.

If it gets worse, this condition can trigger inflammation in the middle ear. As is known, the ears and nose are connected to a channel called the eustachius channel.

When the channel is clogged, it can cause swelling and make the ear more easily infected or inflammatory and cause hearing loss. Although allergies to the ear are not always triggered by air pollution, Madhita reminds to check when the ear begins to experience problems so that it can be handled properly.

"So, our hearing (also) must be checked properly. After getting the right examination, then there is a diagnosis," said Madhita.

Usually, allergies caused by air pollution can subside by taking prescription drugs for allergies. In addition, he also suggests maintaining ear hygiene, especially after undergoing outdoor activities so that the ears are protected from the risk of allergies or other ear health problems.