World No Tobacco Day 2021: A high level of nicotine-containing plant Tobacco is mainly consumed as Cigarettes worldwide. Tobacco is one of the major causes of death in India. Tobacco consumption is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases like tuberculosis and lower respiratory infections, cancer, cardiovascular disease. The toxic smoke of tobacco can cause damage to the linings of the airway and lungs.
Tobacco smoke suppresses the activity of different immune cells resulting in low immunity and making it harder for the body to fight off various diseases. Smokers are more vulnerable to Covid-19 as fingers come possibly in contact with lips while smoking which increases the possibility of transmission of the virus.
People who consume Tobacco are more susceptible to getting Covid-19 due to weaker immune systems, says
Dr. Tarun Sahni, Internal Medicine Specialist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. He says that they can also act as super-spreaders of Covid-19, affecting other’s life at risk. Through coughing, spitting, sneezing the infection can be transmitted to others.
Research suggests that the people consuming tobacco can have a recovery rate very slow from Covid-19 and the development of post-Covid fibrosis is higher. Many tobacco users had to go in for long-term oxygen therapy and can take more time to heal.
On World No Tobacco Day, Dr. Tarun Sahni talks about COVID-19 complications, breathing exercises that can help tobacco consumers, and more.
Other Covid-19 Complications
- Viral Pneumonia
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome(ARDS)
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)
- Asthma
When the people consuming Tobacco have Covid-19 complications to such an extent, the only prevention for it is to just ‘Commit to Quit’. If an individual gets infected and is in a recovery period of Covid-19 then breathing exercises can be beneficial.
Some benefits of breathing exercise are:
- Help in restoring diaphragm function and increasing lung capacity
- Improvement in sleeping quality
- Reduces stress and anxiety
Precautions before Beginning Exercise
Do not begin exercise and consult a doctor if you have:
- Fever
- Difficulty in breathing
- Chest pain
- Swelling in legs
Stop exercise immediately, if have:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath more than normal
- Chest pain
- Cool, clammy skin
- Excessive fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat
Different breathing Exercises:
- Diaphragmatic Breathing
Deep breathing restores lung function by using the diaphragm. Generally done in four-phase where an individual has to take deep breaths while in the back position, on stomach position, in the sitting position, and in standing position. At each position, deep breaths have to be taken for at least 1 minute.
- Humming
Humming is calming and soothing exercise reducing stress and helps patients to be in restoration mode. Steps for it are:
- Sit in an upright position at the edge of the bed or a chair.
- Place hands-on side of stomach.
- With lip closed and tongue on the roof of the mouth, breathe through the nose and pull air down in the stomach.
- Exhale while humming “hmmm” sound.
- Repeat for one minute.
- Yawn To Smile
It opens the chest to give the diaphragm space to expand. It also helps in coordination and builds strength in the arms and shoulder. Steps are:
- Sit in an upright position at the edge of the bed or a chair
- Reach arms overhead and create a big stretching yawn
- Bring your arms down and finish by smiling for three seconds
- Repeat for 1 minute
- Balloon Exercise
It can be through blowing certain balloons in a day. This allows the lungs to inhale more oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. Due to more oxygen supply to the body, the person can become less fatigued and breathless.
Due to damage caused by the virus to the lungs, these exercises can be beneficial to those who are recovering. A healthy body is a source of energy that is gained by healthy lifestyle habits.