The Air We Breathe: A Closer look at the Daily Effects Pollen Has on Us
From GeoClasses
Narration by Dyanner Brown-Conner: Media:The Air We Breathe dbc07.wav
Contents |
Abstract
With the new season of spring comes a wide range of beautiful flowers with a variety of types, colors and scents. However no matter how lovely the sights of the season are, they also contain an element that proves to be most menacing, pollen. Pollen appears to be everywhere one might turn, invading the air we breathe, the surfaces of cars and unfortunately it transports into the airway, nasal passages and the upper respiratory of individuals throughout the mid-south. One such individual is I and my eleven year old daughter. Unlike some, I had no idea that my daughter had an allergic reaction to what I would like to refer to as the small but deadly yellow monster, but for the sake of science will translate its original term of pollen. My daughter had been diagnosed as an infant with the condition of asthma, which before this season fairly manageable. However this season has shown me that there are many more possible effects and reactions to pollen in the air we breathe than the occasional sneeze or watery eyes. Despite how harmful pollen may prove to be to individuals, it is impossible to simply do away with this threat. The best defense from the attack of the pollen in the air we breathe, the surfaces of cars and from invading an individuals’ body in varying ways, is to be very informed on these effects and how to manage them once one has been affected. This article seeks to determine the many varying effects that pollen has on individuals, how one might be protected from such harmful effects and to inform and educate readers so that they may be able to identify characteristics of these effects and better protect themselves and their families.
Introduction:What is Pollen?
Pollen is a defined as a coarse powder consisting of grains called microgametophytes, which produce male gametes of seed plants. The structure of pollen is believed to contain many vegetative cells and a generative cell containing a tube nucleus which produces the pollen tube and a generative nucleus that divides to form the two sperm cells. This group of cells is surrounded by a cellulose cell wall and a thick, tough outer wall made of sporopollenin. Pollen is produced in what is known as the microsporangium which is contained in the anther of an angiosperm flower, male cone of a coniferous plant. Pollen grains come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and surface markings characteristic of its species. Most of them are spherical. Pollen grains of pines, firs, and spruces are winged. The smallest pollen grain, is located on the flowered plant called the Forget me not. Mature pollen grains have a double wall and a thin delicate wall of unaltered cellulose, called the endosperm or intine, as well as a tough outer exospores or exine, except in the case of some aquatic plants that live under water.
Apparently there are several different types of pollen. There is grass pollen, which is regional as well as seasonal and has pollen levels that can be affected by the temperature, time of day and the weather. Of the many species of grass that grows in the U.S., there are only a small number of these that cause allergies. These consist of Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, and Kentucky bluegrass, Orchard grass, Sweet Vernal grass and Timothy grass. There is also weed pollen which is found within weeds and wild flowers and tree pollen from a variety of trees. Finally there is the pollen, which can be found in the air and is a result of poor quality of air as well as mold which releases spores that are a common component of household dust.
How is Pollen transferred?
The process, in which pollen is transferred from its home within flowers and plants to other plants and within the air, is called pollination. This process consist of pollen grains being transferred to the female pistil which can be occur through the wind such as grains called anemphilous from pine trees and some flowering plants as well. Insect loving plants or entomophilous produce thick, sticky and heavy pollen that is full of protein for insects to disperse. Other plants which are non-flowering germinate pollen in a chamber which is located beneath the micropyle.
The Effects of Pollen & Treatments
Pollen is a part of weather conditions. Weather conditions are considered to be possible influences on a variety of health conditions. These health conditions can include those that are very common to individuals such as asthma, rhinitis or hay fever, bronchitis and sinusitis as well as some that are not as common such as migraine headaches. Allergies including rashes can occur when pollen comes in contact with the tissue inside the nose, the upper respiratory airway, the sinuses and the skin; it triggers a reaction that causes congestion, sneezing, itching, and a runny nose, headaches, upper respiratory problems such as asthma and skin irritation or ringworm type of rash. This is the body's methods of flushing away the allergen particles. The following are different types of pollen. It is very possible for the weather to bring on these common and uncommon health conditions or make those conditions that are already present, worse. Other conditions that have been associated with the epidemic of pollen are skin rashes or lesions. My eleven year old daughter has suffered with most of these effects of pollen. Of course at the time there was not much evidence to link her diagnosis of asthma, migraines or sinusitis as well as the frequency of rashes on her skin, with the pollen in the air. When we moved to the University of Memphis Campus, which consist of a lot of tree pollen, air quality within the residences on campus as well as the mold spores in the air, her frequency of attacks of all these conditions increased from once every now and again to two to three times a day. Her condition got to the point that she was seeing the pediatrician almost weekly, who referred us to a specialist for the migraines at Neurology of Memphis in Germantown.
Rhinitis, sinusitis or hay fever is said to affect a staggering 25 million people every year. Hay fever is an inflammatory disorder of nasal linings caused by inhaled pollen, mold spores, animal fur, dust etc. People who suffer from hay fever usually have a high level of Immunoglobulin E.This results in the overreaction to pollens, dust, etc whilst other people who come in contact with these same substances don't have an allergic reaction. There is a genetic link as several people have a family history of hay fever, allergies, eczema and asthma. Medically this is referred to as atrophy, i.e. there is an inherited and inherent reaction by the body to substances that would usually affect other people. This mediated reaction results in swelling, inflammation, congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes among other things. A collection of irritants, predominantly in the nose, occurs after exposure to airborne particles of dust, dander, animal fur or pollens from certain seasonal plants.
The presence of any of these allergens (pollen, dust, mold, animal fur and etc.) causes irritation of the nasal linings and further stimulates the body's immune system which over- reacts in the presence of these substances causing inflammation. This is what we term hay fever. Hay fever is related to asthma and eczema and often runs in the family. Usually some family members have Asthma; some could have hay fever while others may have eczema or a combination these conditions.
Pollen is present at different times of the year and its quantity varies from season to season. Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis attacks also depend on what pollen you are allergic to. The grass pollen season usually begins between mid-May and June, ending some time between mid-July and August. Since causes of hay fever are seasonal, symptoms can be experienced at other times of the year due to sensitivity to other allergies.
Peak pollen time is usually in early spring when school examinations take place, making it very difficult to revise and to perform well in examinations, which is why a lot of public and private schools are instituting the homebound program. This program allows students, such as my eleven year old daughter to be able to complete school course work and take exams through a teacher or instructor who works for the school board coming to their home two times a week at scheduled times to provide instruction to the student so that they do not fall behind on assignments or threaten failure. The homebound program is extremely instrumental since much conventional hay fever, asthma and migraine treatments and medication often can lead to drowsiness and work impairment.
Hay fever is an overreaction by the immune system of some people to allergens which other people are not troubled by. This over-reaction leads to all the symptoms of hay fever. The allergens that trigger hay fever cannot be eliminated and can only be minimized. It is usually caused by inhaled allergens such as grass, weed, mold, spores, pollen, dust mites, chemicals, cosmetics, deodorants, animal hair and some food as well as weather conditions.
Asthma is breathing difficulty brought on by constriction of the lung's airway passages. Research has shown a correlation between cool, dry weather and increased asthma-related hospital admissions. Spring and summer can also bring on asthma attacks, because of increased pollen and pollution in the air. Wind is also a factor, since it can transport those irritants over long distances. Asthma is often treated with inhalers and breathing treatments utilizing Albuterol solutions, which can be as frequent as six times a day. Other medications and treatments include Singulair, Claritin and a Steroidal such as Prednisone or Advair Diskette, as well as Nasonex (Mometasone Furoate Monohydrate) Nasal Spray. These medications are taken daily and can also cause symptoms of drowsiness and/or hyperactivity. Asthma is a very sensitive and serious health condition which untreated or without close monitoring can be extremely life threatening.
Migraines are headaches caused by constriction or dilation of the blood vessels in the brain. Pain generally occurs on one side of the face or head. Sufferers sometimes feel nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Triggers include stress, hormonal fluctuations, certain types of food and weather. In fact, according to research that has been done by the New England Center for Headaches, as many as half of all migraines are triggered by weather. Many migraine sufferers single out cold, dry weather as the culprit, though almost any weather change can be a problem. Some doctors suggest that patients keep a detailed headache journal, so they can anticipate weather changes and take preventative medication, if necessary such as Migranal (Dihroergo-tammine Mesylate, USP), which is in a nasal spray form to be taken at the onset of the migraine headache. Other forms of medication and treatment that is used for migraine headaches include a medication called Keppra (Levetiracetam), which is to be utilized as a preventive medication.
Skin irritation and rashes are also an effect of pollen apparently. I discovered this when my daughter kept complaining of her back, stomach, arms and face where itching. She began breaking out with ring worm like, yet much smaller bumps on these areas. Her pediatrician prescribed some Hydrocortisone cream for the rash and more Claritin for the itching as well as an Antibiotic ointment and tablets to clear it up.
Prevention of Effects of Pollen
Other forms of treatment and measures of prevention for the effects of pollen for individuals include but not limited to: Staying inside between 5pm and 5am during summer (pollen count is at it highest during these times). Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible during the spring and summer. Vacuuming and dusting (with damp cloth) your home regularly, to minimize pollen and dust. Airing bedclothes in direct sunlight is also helpful. Avoiding irritants such as smoke and chemical fumes. Being aware of the pollen count (which is usually broadcast along with the weather). Avoiding areas of high pollen concentration e.g. long grass, lawn mowing and raking leaves as much as possible. If you need to or have to be in these environments consider wearing a mask and protective glasses or clothing. Avoiding mucus-forming foods such as dairy products, refined wheat products and processed foods in general. Taking a multivitamin supplement especially of Vitamin C for high pollen seasons, which can help prevent or reduce its severity and the use of homeopathic remedies and other herbal products have shown to be effective preventatives against hay fever.
Conclusion
Pollen does appear to be a part of life and each season that we can not get around. It is as much a part of our lives as the flowers are to the spring season. It is unavoidable. However the effects of pollen can be avoided if we first arm ourselves with the powerful weaponry of knowledge and awareness. This truly is our best defense from the attack of the pollen in the air we breathe, the surfaces of cars and from invading an individuals’ body in varying ways.
References
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