The effects of climate change on the respiratory system
Journal Title: Αρχεία Ελληνικής Ιατρικής - Year 2011, Vol 28, Issue 4
Abstract
Overwhelming evidence is documented showing that human activities affect the global climate. Climate change poses a significant, emerging threat to public health and is one of the greatest environmental, social and economic hazards faced by the planet. Various effects are already being felt, ranging from global warming to rising sea levels as a result of melting polar ice, and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as storms, floods, droughts and heat waves. The temperature changes contribute to increases in morbidity and mortality associated with lung diseases. Global warming, combined with increased humidity, favors the development of pathogenic micro- organisms in geographic areas where this would not normally occur. The prevalence of allergic diseases and the duration of seasonal allergic disorders (allergic rhinitis, asthma) have increased in recent decades in the industrialized world. The rising average temperature of the lower atmosphere increases the concentration of "bad" ozone in photochemical smog, exacerbating respiratory problems. Air pollution, mainly particulate matter and ozone, give rise to particular risk, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with cardio-respiratory problems, neonates and infants. Patients at higher risk are those who already suffer from chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, severe allergies or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Authors and Affiliations
E. FILIPPIDOU, A. KOUKOULIATA
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP124378
- DOI -
- Views 97
- Downloads 0
Aortoenteric fistula
No abstract available
Ancient schwannoma
No abstract available
Η ρικίνη ως βιοτρομοκρατικό όπλο.<br /> Κλινικά χαρακτηριστικά της δηλητηρίασης από ρικίνη και αντιμετώπιση στο νοσοκομείο
Η ρικίνη είναι μια ισχυρή τοξίνη που εμπεριέχεται στους σπόρους του φυτού ρετσινολαδιά, το οποίο μπορεί να ανευρεθεί σε όλα τα μέρη του κόσμου. Διεθνείς οργανισμοί έχουν κατατάξει τη ρικίνη στη δεύτερη κατηγορία των βιολ...
Information and communication technology in health education: <br /> Theoretical framework, empirical findings and research perspectives
In recent years, the wide availability of information and communication technology (ICT) has lead to the increasing implementation of health education programs based on ICT (HEP-B-ICT) and to empirical research regarding...
Ασυνήθης περίπτωση βαριάς θρομβοπενίας σε ασθενή με ασταθή στηθάγχη<br />