The West is burning. The news reports that California has some of the worst air quality in the world. The smoke from the fires in the West have reached the East Coast and Europe.
What is all of this smoke doing to us?
How does inhaling wildfire smoke hurt your body?
According to the CDC: wildfire smoke can harm you in multiple ways. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Even healthy people can be harmed by inhaling wildfire smoke. The short term effects are:
Water
- Coughing
- Trouble breathing normally
- Stinging eyes
- A scratchy throat
- Runny nose
- Irritated sinuses
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- An asthma attack
- Tiredness
- Fast heartbeat
How to protect yourself from the harmful effects of smoke and bad air quality
Avoid the smoke
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- If told to stay inside, do so as much as possible.
- While inside, keep doors and windows closed.
- While inside, run the air conditioner and air filters.
- While inside, do not add to the interior air pollution: no smoking, burning candles, don’t even vacuum, which can stir up air particles.
Venturing outside into the smoke?
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- If you have to be outside, wear a mask. In particular, wear an “N95” mask.
Is it okay to exercise with all of the smoke in the air?
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- Avoid outdoor exercise while the air quality is bad. In the U.S., check the air quality in your area by clicking this link. While the air quality is bad, do low impact exercises indoors.
How to help your body heal from the harm caused by all of the smoke
Detoxification Smoothie
Detoxification drinks have a powerful effect on the body’s recuperative powers because of their rich, easily absorbed nutrients. Fresh juices contain proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, electrolytes, and healing aromatic oils. But most importantly fresh juice therapy makes available to every cell in our bodies large amounts of enzymes, an integral part of the healing and restorative process.
This detox smoothie could be added to your daily detoxification regime. At a minimum, drink the detox smoothie daily for 2 weeks.
Water and Ice to taste and texture
4 oz organic orange juice without sweetener
1oz pomegranate juice
1 handful of broccoli sprouts or 1 stalk broccoli
1 handful of cilantro
2 stalks celery
1 handful of watercress
1/3-1/2 cup of mixed organic berries
A packet of Pure Paleo Cleanse Powder
Optional : As a meal replacement, you can add 1 serving pea and rice protein powder with 1 tbsp of nut butter to make your smoothie more of a meal.
Blend together and drink with gusto
Dry brushing
Diagram for dry brushing
Detox Bundle
To make it easy for everyone, Calmglow created an Added Support Detox Bundle. In the bundle you will find Dead Sea Mineral Bath Salt, Dry Brush and Breathefree Oil. You can order the Detox Bundle directly from the Calmglow by clicking this link. Calmglow also recommends Pure Paleo Plus 14 day Detox.
If you have any questions about other detoxification recommendations, immunity boosting recommendations or to make an appointment to discuss any recommended modification for your individual plan, call Calmglow at 209-247-9170.
To your health,
Dianne Hinton NP, PA, IFM-C
