DR. BRYAN CEPEDOZA
MEDICAL INSIDER
A Question & Answer Session
with Dr. Bryan Cepedoza
on Climate Change and Lung Diseases
(Part 6)
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): We ended our conversation
last week, Dr. Bryan, with my question: “Are greenhouse
gases good or bad?”
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: I remember that. So, you are
asking me if greenhouse gases are good or bad. As they
are, greenhouse gases are good. They help make planet
Earth warm. Without the greenhouse gases, the earth
would be very cold, and if that will be the situation, no life
would exist here. But, what will make it bad is too much of
greenhouse gases. How will that happen? When we, the
people, will be do activities that will add to the amount of
these gases in the atmosphere.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): I see. Do you mean to say
Dr.. Bryan, that too much of these gases will contribute to
climate change resulting into a warmer atmosphere?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Exactly. I have read in one source
that: “This change in concentrations [in the atmosphere]
will cause warming and is affecting various aspects of
climate, including surface air and ocean temperatures,
precipitation, and sea levels. Human health, agriculture,
water resources, forests, wildlife, and coastal areas are all
vulnerable to climate change.” With these declarations,
climate change, if not arrested because of the addition of
greenhouse gases brought about by the activities of men,
will put our planet earth in danger.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): What then is the relationship
between greenhouse gases and pollution?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Very simple. Greenhouse gases
cause climate change as they trap the heat. They also
contribute to respiratory illness due to smog and air
pollution. If people notice, we now experience extreme
weather conditions. In other countries, we hear of
increased wildfires and all these are other effects of
climate change caused by greenhouse gases. I repeat,
greenhouse gases which cause climate change
contribution to air pollution.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): I always hear doctors say that
air pollution can affect our lungs. Again, will you kindly
explain why, Dr. Bryan?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Okay. We have to remember that
our lungs have a big surface area. The lungs are the parts
of our body that are connected to the environment. As I
said, the surface area of our lungs is big. This is like a
tennis court that has a wide space/area. If the air becomes
polluted, then we inhale such polluted air. As we inhale
polluted air, it will enter the big space area in our lungs.
Moreover, as we inhale polluted air, it can cause a
chemical reaction in our lungs. Do we have some immune
cells? Yes. We have immune cells and as we inhale air,
this goes to our alveoli – the small air sacs where the
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. Inig
abot sa polluted air didto sa atong lungs, tan-awon
man kana sa atong immune cells – sa atong immune
system. Kanang atong immune system mo produce
pud kana ug mga cytokines. What are Cytokines?
These are signalling proteins that help control
inflammation in your body. They allow your immune
system to mount a defense against germs or other
substances that can make you sick as they enter your
body. But, remember, too many cytokines can lead to
excess inflammation and conditions like autoimmune
diseases. So, ug mag sige ug ka exposed atong lungs
sa air pollution, katong atong mga immune cells mag
sige usab kadto ug produce ug cytokines hangtud nga
chronic na ang condition, kanang mo persist na sa
dugay nga panahon. Mao na nga imbis maayo na ta sa
sakit, madugay na hinuon atong pag-ayo. Mao usab
na nga tungod sa constant exposure sa air pollution,
ang atong immune system mao na hinuon ang mag-
guba sa atong kaugalingon nga lungs. When cytokines
become overactive (or up-regulated), they cause the
immune system to attack itself. If there is chronic exposure
to air pollution, what’s going to happen? Daghang normal
cells and ma destroy nga mahimong collateral
damage.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Here is another question from
a radio listener, Dr. Bryan. “Is asthma caused by some
form of allergy? Or can climate change cause allergy?”
(To be continued)