3 Common Respiratory Issues During the Monsoon Season

Ah, the long-awaited monsoon season has finally busted onto the scene, giving us a much-needed break from the winter smog and summer heat that had us all sweating bullets. The rain isn't just a weather upgrade; it's like nature hitting the reset button, wiping away the air pollution blues and replacing them with a cool breeze and the scent of fresh grass.

But hold up – don't let the raindrops fool you into thinking all is squeaky clean. Recent air quality data spills the beans: our air during the monsoon isn't as sparkly as we'd hope. In fact, it's breaking the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards like a rebellious teenager. Despite the rain washing away some sins, we've got a lingering issue with air quality that's not doing any favours for our health. During festive seasons like Diwali, the air becomes filled with pollutants, turning it into a never-ending pollution party.

In this blog, we're going on a journey to unravel the quirks of the monsoon season and it's not-so-cool relationship with our respiratory well-being. Hopefully, by the end, you'll see why the monsoon is like that quirky friend – a bit unpredictable, a bit messy, but always there to shake things up!

The Monsoon Season and Respiratory Challenges 

Paradoxically, individuals with asthma and even those in good health frequently encounter respiratory difficulties in the monsoon season. High humidity levels, especially in cloudy but dry weather, significantly contribute to this situation. This can create a sensation of inadequate oxygen intake, and if you perceive your living spaces as excessively musty or humid, it may exacerbate the issue.

1. Be Mindful of the Air Quality Index 

Traditionally, we associate rainfall with purifying the air and clearing the atmosphere of impurities. Regrettably, this notion is no longer accurate. Higher levels of air pollution can lead to particles staying in the air for longer, especially in humid conditions rather than during rainfall. This poses a challenge for individuals with asthma. Those with weakened immune systems or those recovering from a significant illness are particularly susceptible to the risk of developing respiratory distress.

2. Air Quality and Allergens

In the monsoon season, the air carries a higher concentration of pollen, posing challenges for individuals with breathing difficulties. Even those without usual respiratory issues may experience distress due to increased allergens in the air. Furnishings like sofa covers, curtains, and cushion covers can trap these allergens, so it's important to keep them clean during the monsoon to stay healthy.

3. Prevent Yourself from Monsoon Colds

Navigating through the rain during the monsoon can be tricky, especially if you have to go out for work or social reasons. It's important to be prepared by wearing a raincoat, waterproof shoes, and maybe carrying a change of clothes in a waterproof bag. Keep yourself warm, especially if you're prone to respiratory issues or easily get symptoms like wheezing, sneezing, or coughing. Drink hot beverages like green tea, herbal infusions, soups, and warm water to stay hydrated and maintain your body warmth.

Overcoming Monsoon Respiratory Challenges: Tips

1. Monitor Your Daily Diet

Making healthier dietary choices and being mindful of when you eat can significantly benefit your overall well-being, including your lung health, which is often overlooked. Incorporating fruits, nuts, and vegetables that are high in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids equips your body with essential tools to fight off illnesses and improve lung function. Foods like pumpkins, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, eggplants, and red kidney beans (rajma) are particularly rich in antioxidants, further supporting your overall health.

2. Advantages of Fruits and Nuts

Apricots, mangoes, grapes, various berries, pineapples, papayas, and bananas are abundant in diverse vitamins and antioxidants. These fruits can be easily incorporated into your meals or kept readily available for snacking. Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and seeds like chia and flax seeds are excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. This helps boost your immune system and aids in overcoming seasonal infections.

3. Herbs and Spices for Your Respiratory Health

Boost your respiratory health with everyday herbs and spices like tulsi, oregano leaf (Karpooravalli), pepper, garlic, turmeric, cumin seeds, amla, and dry ginger. Create a herbal decoction by combining these ingredients, and if needed, sweeten it with honey. Drink this decoction once or twice daily as necessary. It aids in clearing lung phlegm, promoting comfortable breathing.

4. Keep Your Nostrils Clear

Frequent nasal congestion can lead to respiratory issues as it often forces individuals to breathe through their mouths. This, in turn, may expose the throat and lungs to allergens and pollutants.

• Gargling with warm salt water helps clear throat infections and restore your normal voice.
• Inhaling steam infused with turmeric and mint leaves can help clear mucus from your sinuses and lungs, making it easier to breathe normally.
• Get exposed to sunlight for a few minutes every day.
• Do your regular workouts, yoga and pranayama every day. 

Monsoon Season Wellness Supplements

The Co Being Yelovitz - The optimal combination of turmeric, Vitamin C, black pepper, and zinc supports the body in combating seasonal infections while enhancing immunity and metabolism.

• The Co Being Berry Merry - The unique source of 9 berries with vitamin C & zinc, helps enhance cellular health and acts as an immunity booster.
• The Co Being Green Matters - The perfect blend of veggies, fruits and adaptogens helps to address the nutritional deficiencies and helps to meet the daily requirements of micronutrients and gives energy throughout the day.
• The Co Being GummyHugs of Elderberry - The anthocyanins in elderberry are rich in antioxidants, which help ease the cold and flu of seasonal origin and improves your general well being.
• The Co Being GummyHugs of Immunity - The powerful source of Vitamin C & zinc, help promote proper cellular health and act as an immunity booster. 
• The Co Being eMIST Fast-Action Immunity Blend - The goodness of elderberry, Vitamin C & zinc supports cellular level and enhances respiratory health.

Key Takeaway

1. Monsoon Air Quality: Despite the relief brought by the monsoon season, recent data indicates that pollution levels remain high, surpassing WHO standards and posing a persistent risk to public health.
2. Seasonal Factors: Fluctuations in air pollution are influenced by factors such as diminished wind speeds, stagnant air, and increased emissions which causes airborne allergens become more concentrated and causes respiratory challenges such as asthma, wheezing, stuffy nose and other infections
3. Preventive Measures: Don’t forget your raincoats and waterproof footwear, try to stay warm and avoid cold drinks
4. Diet and Lung Health: Including fruits, nuts, and vegetables rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids enhances lung health.
5. Herbal decoctions with tulsi, oregano leaf, pepper, garlic, turmeric, cumin seeds, amla, and dry ginger contribute to respiratory health. Herbal decoctions with honey and regular exposure to sunlight are beneficial.
6. Nasal congestion can lead to respiratory issues, Warm salt water gargling, steam inhalation with turmeric and mint leaves, regular workouts, yoga, and pranayama contribute to respiratory well-being.

For additional assistance in selecting the appropriate supplements to improve your immunity and respiratory health, Book Your FREE CONSULTATION With Our Expert Dr! or WhatsApp us on +91 9500775666 to schedule your consultation right away!