Wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs and make you more prone to infections. According to the CDC, smoke inhalation increases your risk of contracting a disease, including Covid-19. With California wildfire season growing longer each year, it’s important to be proactive about your lung health. The CDC is providing comprehensive instructions to help you adapt your home environment and lifestyle to protect your lungs during these conditions. Visit their website to read.

Most importantly, I must stress how important it is to stay out of the smoke. This can be hard to do, especially if you work outdoors. Masks will not protect you from wildfire smoke, unless they are N95 masks, which we all know are in short supply and must be reserved for healthcare workers to protect them from covid-19. If you do happen to have an N95 mask on hand, it will help if worn correctly. It must be sealed around the edges; if you have facial hair this can be hard to do.

Exercising in the smoke is particularly concerning because of the increased rate of breathing and therefore increase in smoke and particle inhalation. To decrease your risk, go out for a walk when the air has cleared. Strenuous exercise with increased breathing should only be done indoors or when the air is clear.

If you are a healthy person with no lung issues you may not notice immediate obvious effects but it will affect your lungs adversely. Your genetics play a large role in whether you notice any immediate effects from smoke inhalation.

Limiting your exposure is critical.

Symptoms of exposure include sore throat, cough, headache and runny nose. If you get any of these you need to limit exposure.

If you have more exposure than your body can handle or you just want to be proactive, there are some supplements and homeopathic remedies that can help. Ideally, I would prescribe remedies for your unique physiological makeup, but here are some general options:

Homeopathy

Arsenicum Album is a single homeopathic remedy for common reactions to smoke exposure. You can get this at your local health food store. I would start with 30c _(Asrsenicum Album is indicated for smoke exposure with anxiety. Eyes and nose burns and runs. Cough is dry and worse at night. Increased anxiety about what is to come. Restlessness)_

Pneuma-Tox is a homeopathic complex for lung detoxification of environmental, industrial, tobacco and beauty salon pollutants. This remedy is not available through stores, but I can order it for you.

Nutritional and Herbal Support from Standard Process

The following Standard Process products can be ordered by following the ordering instructions provided here, or in person at your next office visit. 

For general food based support of the respiratory system:

Standard Process – Emphaplex 

Emphaplex supports the respiratory system:

Supports the body’s natural ability to expel respiratory secretions
Supports cellular energy
Supports central nervous system function
Contains a combination of key ingredients from Catalyn, Drenamin, Pneumotrophin PMG, Phosfood Liquid, and Protefood
Excellent source of vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B6
Good source of vitamin D

For herbal support of the respiratory system, especially for mucous membranes:

Standard Process – ResCo Phytosynergist 

ResCo Phytosynergist combines herbs and an essential oil which provide respiratory system support. These herbs provide a range of compounds including iridoids, triterpenoid saponins (especially glycyrrhizin), other saponins, flavonoids, triterpenes, sterols, phenolic acids, sesquiterpene lactones, polyacetylenes, pungent principles (including gingerols), and monoterpenes (especially trans-anethole, fenchone and estragole). These key phytochemicals and other compounds within this herbal formulation work to:

Support healthy mucous membranes within the respiratory tract
Encourage healthy removal of mucus
support healthy respiratory function
Assist in maintaining healthy airway passages
Encourage normal secretion removal from the respiratory system
Promote the body’s normal resistance function

I encourage you to consider adding lung support to your health regiment during this time, and I’m so glad I have access to these and other treatments that can help. Please come see me or get in touch if I can help support you in any way! You can always call the office or make an appointment online if you wish. Click here to contact us or book online.