Here's How Indoor Air Pollution Can Cause Muscle Pain
Muscle pain is a common medical condition experienced by millions of people, and according to the NCBI, 60 to 85 percent of the population will experience muscular pain, specifically back pain, at some point in their lifetime. There are several factors that can contribute to muscle pain, including poor posture, lack of exercise, strenuous physical activity, and infections like the flu. However, new evidence suggests that having poor indoor air quality can also contribute to the aching feeling in your muscles.
Getting enough rest and sleep, doing stretches before and after exercising, and giving yourself a percussive massage with the Thumper Mini Pro Massager or the Lithium8 can release muscle tension and reduce aches and pains. Surprisingly, clearing your indoor air of toxins and contaminants can also yield good results if muscle pain is a constant concern. Here's how indoor air pollution can cause muscle pain, and what you can do to purify your indoor air.
It all comes down to sick building syndrome
If you constantly feel tired, have bad headaches, or notice persistent muscle pain whenever you're home, it's possible that you're experiencing sick building syndrome. This condition is attributed to indoor air pollution, and a study has found that 30 percent of new and renovated buildings have poor indoor air quality.
Apart from the aforementioned symptoms, other possible symptoms that you may experience include having dry and itchy skin rashes, dizziness, throat irritation, forgetfulness, and chills. Sick building syndrome (SBS) can be caused by poor ventilation in buildings or homes, tobacco smoke, and the presence of mould and mildew. Since common indoor air contaminants such as dust, dirt, allergens, bacteria, fungi, VOCs, and viruses lurk in our homes, it's imperative to get rid of them to relieve muscle or body pain, as well as other health symptoms caused by SBS.
Should you seek medical attention for SBS?
Diagnosing sick building syndrome will involve a process of elimination. Once your doctor is certain that your home environment is causing your condition, you'll likely be advised to take some over-the-counter pain medication to reduce muscle and body pains.
To completely get rid of the symptoms though, take action to improve your indoor air as soon as possible. You could start by using natural cleaning products such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon to clean surfaces. You may also want to have your home inspected for possible mould or fungus growth since a mould allergy can also cause the same symptoms as SBS.
Cleaning your indoor air
There are various ways to improve the quality of your indoor air, and the simplest way to do so is to open your windows to drive the stale air out and get some fresh air into your home. You can also use a fan to keep the air circulating in your living spaces. Bringing in some air-purifying indoor plants, such as spider plants, peace lilies, English ivy, and aloe vera can help to get rid of toxins in the air that can make you feel sick and achy. Meanwhile, to get rid of particulate matter, clean as often as you can, and use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to clear your indoor air of pollutants.
Having constant muscle pain can affect your quality of life, so if you suspect that your indoor air may be causing your condition, take concrete steps to improve the air that you breathe. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor for proper treatment.
