Medicina Pulmonar e Respiratória

Air pollution is a pressing global issue that significantly affects public health, especially in urban areas. With the rapid industrialization and urbanization of cities, the levels of air pollutants have risen dramatically, posing severe risks to respiratory health. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of air pollution on lung health in urban environments, exploring the major pollutants, mechanisms of action, and the epidemiological evidence linking air pollution to respiratory diseases. Additionally, it will discuss the current regulatory measures and potential solutions to mitigate the detrimental effects of air pollution on lung health in urban settings. Air pollution is a complex mixture of various particulate matter (PM) and gaseous substances released from natural sources, industrial activities, and transportation systems. The primary pollutants include nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), ozone (O₃), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Acute respiratory failure is a life-threatening condition that can result from various diseases and injuries affecting the respiratory system. Traditional mechanical ventilation, while effective, can lead to complications and prolonged hospital stays. In recent years, Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) has emerged as an innovative and less invasive approach for managing acute respiratory failure. This article explores the advancements in noninvasive ventilation techniques, including the development of novel interfaces, intelligent algorithms, and the application of non-invasive strategies for specific patient populations. Additionally, the article discusses the evidence supporting the effectiveness of NIV and its potential to revolutionize the management of acute respiratory failure.

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in pre-habilitation, post-operative care, and rehabilitation to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications. The use of various devices like incentive spirometers, and respiratory muscle training devices is an integral part of chest physiotherapy. Currently, there are many devices available in the market, which have been used in physiotherapy. Despite their regular use in the clinical setup, many clinical practitioners do not have thorough knowledge about their functioning and effect. This article intends to make physiotherapists aware of the types, components, teaching techniques, and uses of such devices, to have optimal and specific benefits. The knowledge of these devices may help professionals to select the best device to be used. To select the most appropriate one, it is also necessary to consider the specific health condition, the nature of the impairments, the purpose of the training, and whether its use is within a research or clinical context.