Rural living easier on lungs
Living in the country may be good for respiratory health, according to a study conducted in Scotland, which suggests that rural as opposed to urban dwelling is associated with a lower prevalence of asthma. Moreover, while the prevalence of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and emphysema, which are caused primarily by smoking, is similar among country and city dwellers, living in the country appears to be associated with better health status among subjects with these two lung ailments, the study hints. In analysing the data of the study, the investigators discovered that the prevalence of "any" lung illness was 28-percent lower among those living in the country compared with those living in cities. The prevalence of asthma was 41-percent lower among the rural residents compared with the city dwellers, whereas the prevalence of eczema / dermatitis was 33-percent lower in the country. Fewer people living in rural areas reported symptoms indicative of asthma such as persistent cough and phlegm and breathlessness and wheeze. People living in the country who suffered from COPD, emphysema, or cough or phlegm symptoms had markedly better quality of life scores than their urban counterparts. So why do country dwellers appear to breathe easier? The authors say the current study "prevents us from distinguishing between cause and effect in any relationships found." Source: CHEST
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