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Lungs
are delicate organs of the body
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And
Marium, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We breathed into
her of Our inspiration and she accepted the truth of the words of her Lord
and His books, and she was of, the obedient ones (Qur’an 66:12)
In
the Qur’an the breath is related to the physical and spiritual life of the
human being. Therefore it makes sense that the health of the lungs would be
of utmost importance to Muslims. Hakim Mohidinn Chisti, a well-known Tibb
healer, states that, “The Holy Qur’an, in addition to all else that it
may be, is a set of breathing practices [intended to keep our lungs
healthy].” However, lung diseases are becoming more and more prevalent all
over the world. In fact, every year about 361,000 Americans die of lung
disease. Lung disease is America's number three killer, responsible
for one in seven deaths: And that is in addition to the large number of
casualties from asthma or other lung related complications such as Pneumonia
(ALA).
There
are many diseases and pollutants that can damage the lungs, however, many
people are not aware of how fragile their lungs or how many ways they can
damage them. Outdoor air pollution, indoor air pollution, viral infections,
smoking, exposure to smoking, exposure to toxins or even “normal”
materials at work, and even improper breathing. The findings are
particularly troubling, Sam Gauderman, Researcher at the University of
Southern California, says, because "low lung function is a very strong
risk factor for later life health effects, such as chronic pulmonary disease
and even death. The lung is a sensitive organ; it can only take so much”
(Mitchell).
The
lungs are actually a very sensitive organ. Although they perform an
extremely difficult task in the body, they are delicate enough that they
must always be protected by the rib cage. The main function of the lungs is
gas exchange, which is accomplished by a well-coordinated interaction of the
lungs with the central nervous system, the diaphragm and chest wall
musculature, and the circulatory system. Gas exchange happens in the
alveolus where the thin blood flow and inhaled air are separated only by a
thin tissue layer. In fact, the entire blood volume of the body passes
through the lungs each minute in the resting state, that is 5 liters per
minute. The total surface area of the lung is about 80 meters square,
equivalent to the size of a tennis court. However, only about 10% of
the lung is occupied by solid tissue, whereas the remainder is filled with
air and blood. Supporting structures of the lung must be delicate to allow
gas exchange, yet strong enough to maintain architectural integrity
(Godwin). Because of this delicate balance the lungs are easily
susceptible to a number of pollutants, viruses and stresses.
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Air
pollution in some cities requires residents to use a mask
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Outdoor
air pollution is still a big issue in many cities around the globe. In fact,
new findings from the University of Southern California confirm what old
studies have been saying for years: “Children living in smoggy areas have
reduced lung function” (ENS). The 10 year long Children's Health Study is
now considered one of the nation's most comprehensive studies to date of the
long-term effects of smog on children. This recent study, as well as past
studies, shows that even when smog levels are within the legal parameters
the lungs are still showing adverse effects.
Various
pollutants - acid vapors, nitrogen dioxide, and fine airborne particles
called PM2.5, carbon and ozone – have been implicated in the
University’s study. However, other chemicals may be present in other
cities such as Cairo, New York, Bangkok or Mexico City. The study concluded
that children with decreased lung function may be more susceptible to
respiratory disease and may be more likely to have chronic respiratory
problems as adults.
Dana
Best, a pediatrician at Children's National Medical Center in Washington,
D.C., agreed, saying the findings suggest pollution is not just making
people's asthma worse, it may also be causing "perhaps permanent lung
function changes." She continued by adding, "This is a critical
period in children's lives when their lungs are developing and that may set
them up for lung problems for the rest of their lives” (Mitchell).
Indoor
air pollution is a hidden danger for many people. Many times pollutants in
indoor air can be up to 100 times that of the air outside (ALA) however,
most people view being indoors safer than being outdoors in polluted areas.
Viral infections are another way in which the lungs can be damaged. Diseases
like Pneumonia and Bronchitis can weaken the lungs, thus causing a
susceptibility to further lung damage.
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Even
one cigarette can be harmful
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Smoking
is still one of the main causes of lung problems around the globe.
Furthermore, exposure to smokers can be even more dangerous than smoking
itself since the smoking coming from the outside of the cigarette is inhaled
without a filter and oftentimes a person may be exposed to four people
smoking in the same room. This is equivalent to having smoked more than four
cigarettes themselves. Smoking is the major cause of emphysema, lung cancer,
chronic bronchitis, and heart disease. Smoking damages the airways by
constant irritation and inflammation and complicates the treatment of asthma
and other lung diseases (Asthma Center). In fact, even one exposure to
smoking can be hazardous to sensitive people. This is because nicotine is
both a stimulant and a sedative to the central nervous system. The ingestion
of nicotine results in an almost immediate "kick" because it
causes a discharge of epinephrine from the adrenal cortex. This stimulates
the central nervous system, and other endocrine glands, which causes a
sudden release of glucose (Rowley). This can be dangerous for diabetics,
people with hypoglycemia or people prone to anxiety attacks.
Exposure
to toxins or even materials at work is another hazard to lung health. Safety
procedures now require that workers in many jobs wear masks, but many times
safety procedures are ignored if the pending threat is not obvious.
Farmer’s lung is a good example. Farmer’s lung is an allergy related
disease that occurs from breathing in moldy hay. However, many farmers
consider it unusual to wear a face masque while baling hay. Similar dangers
are faced by farmers harvesting corn, tobacco or beans (CCOHS). Other
unusual occupational related lung diseases include malt workers lung caused
by inhaling moldy barley, mummy disease caused by inhaling mummy powder,
Paprika slicer’s disease caused by inhaling moldy paprika pods, and air
conditioner lung, which befalls many office workers exposed to contamination
in air conditioning systems (Mount Sinai Medical). Even animal caretakers
can develop lung diseases related to breathing in spores from fur or
feathers and workers at plant nurseries can develop lung problems from
breathing in harmful plant spores. In fact, The Department of Health and
Human Services estimates that every year 400,000 people develop a disease
caused by their jobs. An estimated 100,000 deaths each year are caused by
occupational diseases. More than half of these diseases and deaths are due
to lung disease (Mount Sinai Medical).
Finally,
improper breathing is another danger to the lungs and can reduce lung
capacity and overall lung health. It can also reduce oxygen supply to the
body and natural detoxification ability of the body. Although breathing is
something that occurs to most people automatically one's breathing can
actually become modified and restricted in various ways, not just
momentarily, but habitually. Some people actually develop unhealthy habits
without being aware of it such as slouching, sniffing or breathing in
through the mouth instead of the nose (ICBS).
To
best protect the lungs the Holistic Institute Online recommends the
following instructions for better lung health:
1.
Always breathe in through the nose and out the mouth.
2.
Breathe deeply and take long breathes rather than breathing quickly with
shallow breathes.
3.
Always wear a face masque when being exposed to any environmental or
chemical hazard.
4.
Move to areas that are less polluted.
5.
Use an air filter in the home.
“And
[make Jesus] an apostle to the children of Israel: That I have come to you
with a sign from your Lord, that I determine for you out of dust like the
form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird with
Allah's permission and I heal the blind and the leprous, and bring the dead
to life with Allah's permission and I inform you of what you should eat and
what you should store in your houses; most surely there is a sign in this
for you, if you are believers” (Qur’an 3:49).
Sources:
