Climate change and ecosystem degradation can have a profound impact on the human body. A professor of neurology recently published an article about theEffects of climate changeon allergies, autoimmunity and the microbiome. So how do the beneficial microorganisms in the human body respond to changes in the environment? The study primarily explains how the delicate balance of the environment affects allergies, autism and immune diseases.
Can climate change directly affect health?
Climate change has worsened allergic respiratory diseases and altered the immune system's tolerance to responding to toxins, according to new research. Furthermore, this has led to an increase in the prevalence of immune disorders. People with chronic allergic respiratory diseases affecting the nose and eyes, such as asthma and allergies, are at particular risk due to increased exposure to pollen and increased concentration and distribution of air pollutants. Climate changes have both increased the intensity of the pollen season and extended its duration. It has also been shown that an increase in carbon dioxide leads to an increase in plant reproduction and overall pollen content. This is particularly true for plants that thrive in high carbon dioxide concentrations. For example, the concentration of ragweed pollen has increased. Models predict that levels will increase fourfold within the next 30 years.
Climate researchers have also found that thunderstorms, which have become more frequent due to rising sea temperatures, are increasing the concentration of pollen grains near the ground. After ingesting water, these grains can burst and release allergenic particles. These can accordingly cause severe asthmatic symptoms in patients with asthma or hay fever. Climate change has also been linked to increased concentrations and distribution of air pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxide and other volatile organic chemicals. There is increasing evidence that these airborne environmental pollutants are partly responsible for the significant increase in allergic respiratory diseases in developed countries in recent decades. Furthermore, deforestation has led to a dramatic decline in biodiversity. When a plant species becomes extinct, new species take its place. For example, as oak trees have been over-harvested for architectural purposes, new tree species have emerged. With these new trees come new forms of tree pollen that people breathe in and absorb every day.
Immune system and environment
As the environment changes, human bodies are bombarded with new types of organisms. In addition, the body recognizes the molecules that make up these organisms, called antigens, as foreign. For this reason one comes looseInflammatory reaction as an immune responseout of. Biodiversity loss related to climate change, on the other hand, can affect the microbiome. This may then lead to inflammatory, autoimmune and neurological diseases. Immunological disorders such as food allergies are therefore increasing significantly. For example, several studies have found that increases in carbon dioxide and temperature correlate with changes in peanut composition, making it more difficult for the body to adjust immunity. Disruption of gut bacteria has been linked to neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, autism and Parkinson's disease. Medical research found abnormal amino acid metabolism, increased imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, and altered gut microbiomes in some patients with autism spectrum disorder.
So what steps canafter the studybe undertaken to minimize the health risks caused by climate change? First and foremost, people must stop the destruction of the natural environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt more “green” behavior. With studies demonstrating links between the microbiome and autoimmune, inflammatory and neurological diseases, it is critical that patients minimize exposure to antimicrobials. This may include changing guidelines for antibiotic prescribing by healthcare professionals. Additionally, because the microbiome is directly influenced by the daily environment, it is important to regularly immerse yourself in nature. For this reason, more and more people should become familiar with the biodiversity environment.
