Ishita Roy

Decoding Your Eye Prescription Is Now Easy

Decoding your eye prescription is now easy

Regular <span>eye</span> examinations are an important part of ensuring that your <span>eye health</span> is maintained and that your vision is sharp At your eye examination, your doctor will check for any signs of eye disease. You may also be given a prescription if your vision needs to be corrected and you may have to use eyeglasses or contact lenses. 

Though most of the times your eye doctor will tell you what the prescription means. However, not always do things go as planned and if your eye doctor does not tell you what the prescription means, then you can use this cheat code to decipher!

<h4>Are <span rel="noindex">eye prescription</span> really that hard to decipher?</h4>

The simple answer to this is yes. They are hard to decipher because they contain an assortment of numbers and letter that can be confusing if you do not know what they mean. There are abbreviations which may have been used in your prescription, which actually explain a lot about your vision and eye condition. 

<h4>Here's what the abbreviations mean:</h4>

<strong>ADD: </strong>additional lens power is needed to make it easier for you to read. This is usually seen on the prescriptions for reading glasses or the lower partition of bifocal or progressive lenses. 

<strong>Axis: </strong>This is the number between 1 to 180. This indicates where the astigmatism appears on your eye. 

<strong>BO, BI, BU, BD: </strong>They stand for base out, base in, base up, and base down. They tell the eyeglass manufacturer exactly where to position the prism on eyeglasses to correct double vision. 

<strong>CYL: </strong>This stands for cylinder, or the amount of astigmatism in your eye. The cylinder and axis together help correct astigmatism. 

<strong>DV:</strong> It is for distance vision. This number indicates whether you have nearsightedness or farsightedness. 

<strong>NV:</strong> It stands for near vision and indicates how well someone can read or see up close. Doctors use a handheld card containing letters or numbers to determine this measurement. 

<strong>NVO:</strong> This stands for near vision only, this is used for read-only lenses

<strong>OD:</strong> This means oculus dexter, or right eye

<strong>OU:</strong> This stands for oculus uterque, or both <span>eyes</span>

<strong>OS:</strong> This means oculus sinister, or your left eye

<strong>PD:</strong> This means pupillary distance. Monocular PD is the distance from your pupil to middle of your nose and binocular PD is the distance from one of your pupils to the other pupil. 

<strong>Prism:</strong> This is used if you have double vision.

<strong>SPH:</strong> It means sphere or the power of the lens that will correct your eyesight. 

<h4>What do eye prescription numbers mean?</h4>

In the prescription, sometimes you will find numerical, numbers and signs which may be confusing, unless you know what they mean. 

If you see numbers with a plus (+) sign or with no sign, it means you are farsighted. However, if you see the numbers are marked with a minus sign (-), you are nearsighted. 

Sometimes the number in your prescription can tell the eyeglass manufacturer how much correction is needed. This is measured in diopters. If your prescription reads -1.00, then it means your eyeglasses need 1 diopter of strength to corrected nearsightedness.

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Regular eye examinations are an important part of ensuring that your eye health is maintained and that your vision is sharp At your eye examination, your doctor will check for any signs of eye disease. You may also be given a prescription if your vision needs to be corrected and you may have to use eyeglasses or contact lenses. Though most of the times your eye doctor will tell you what the prescription means. However, not always do things go as planned and if your eye doctor does not tell you what the prescription means, then you can use this cheat code to decipher!Are eye prescription really that hard to decipher?The simple answer to this is yes. They are hard to decipher because they contain an assortment of numbers and letter that can be confusing if you do not know what they mean. There are abbreviations which may have been used in your prescription, which actually explain a lot about your vision and eye condition. Here's what the abbreviations mean:ADD: additional lens power is needed to make it easier for you to read. This is usually seen on the prescriptions for reading glasses or the lower partition of bifocal or progressive lenses. Axis: This is the number between 1 to 180. This indicates where the astigmatism appears on your eye. BO, BI, BU, BD: They stand for base out, base in, base up, and base down. They tell the eyeglass manufacturer exactly where to position the prism on eyeglasses to correct double vision. CYL: This stands for cylinder, or the amount of astigmatism in your eye. The cylinder and axis together help correct astigmatism. DV: It is for distance vision. This number indicates whether you have nearsightedness or farsightedness. NV: It stands for near vision and indicates how well someone can read or see up close. Doctors use a handheld card containing letters or numbers to determine this measurement. NVO: This stands for near vision only, this is used for read-only lensesOD: This means oculus dexter, or right eyeOU: This stands for oculus uterque, or both eyesOS: This means oculus sinister, or your left eyePD: This means pupillary distance. Monocular PD is the distance from your pupil to middle of your nose and binocular PD is the distance from one of your pupils to the other pupil. Prism: This is used if you have double vision.SPH: It means sphere or the power of the lens that will correct your eyesight. What do eye prescription numbers mean?In the prescription, sometimes you will find numerical, numbers and signs which may be confusing, unless you know what they mean. If you see numbers with a plus (+) sign or with no sign, it means you are farsighted. However, if you see the numbers are marked with a minus sign (-), you are nearsighted. Sometimes the number in your prescription can tell the eyeglass manufacturer how much correction is needed. This is measured in diopters. If your prescription reads -1.00, then it means your eyeglasses need 1 diopter of strength to corrected nearsightedness.

decoding your eye prescription is now easy

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Smartphone Data Can Predict Recovery After Leg or Hip Fracture

(Credit-Canva)

At this stage of technological advancement, most people carry their smartphones around with them all the time. Many of us use it for our daily needs like phone calls, placing orders and keeping track of our activity levels. However, what you may not have known, is that this daily activity tracking could be the key to proper recovery if you ever run into an accident. 

A new study has found that the information your smartphone collects about your daily movement can tell doctors a lot about how quickly and well you'll get back on your feet after breaking a leg or a hip. It's like your phone holds clues to your body's natural ability to heal and get moving again, even before the injury happens. This could be a really helpful tool for doctors and patients. 

<h2>Pre-Injury Mobility Could Be Key To Recovery Success </h2>

The study's findings, published in the Journal of Bone &amp; Joint Surgery, researchers discovered that the data from smartphones, like how many steps a person took each day, how fast they walked, how long their steps were, and their walking style (gait), all give a clear picture of how well they are likely to recover after their bone break. It turns out that your body's usual way of moving before the injury is a strong indicator of how your recovery will go and how well you'll regain your physical abilities later on. 

<h2>How It Revolutionizes Orthopedic Care with Personalized Insights </h2>

Researchers believe that using smartphone data in this way has the potential to really change how doctors provide care for broken bones. It can help doctors give patients a better idea of what to expect during recovery, spot any problems earlier, and create recovery plans that are specifically tailored to each person based on their own movement history. This means a more personalized and effective healing process. 

To do this study, the researchers asked 107 adults who had already had surgery for a broken hip or leg at least six months earlier to share the data collected by their Apple iPhones. This information included things like their daily step count, their usual walking speed, how long their steps were, and the way they typically walked. By looking at this past movement data, the researchers could see patterns related to their recovery. 

The study's results clearly showed that there's a strong link between a person's activity levels before they broke their leg or hip and how active they were during their recovery. For example, people who regularly took more steps each day before their injury also tended to take more steps as they were healing and getting back to their normal routines. This shows how important baseline fitness is for your body in general as well as in case of recovery. 

<h2>Doctors Can Now Use Phone Data for Treatment </h2>

The study concluded that one’s doctors and physicians could use this information about how people moved before their injury, gathered from their smartphones, to create much more precise plans for surgery, give better advice about recovery, and set more realistic goals for physical therapy. This way, the treatment and recovery process can be designed specifically for each individual, potentially leading to better and faster healing and a return to normal activities.

Smartphone Data can help you recover

Smartphone Data Can Predict Recovery

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smartphones and health

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smartphones and medical used

At this stage of technological advancement, most people carry their smartphones around with them all the time. Many of us use it for our daily needs like phone calls, placing orders and keeping track of our activity levels. However, what you may not have known, is that this daily activity tracking could be the key to proper recovery if you ever run into an accident. A new study has found that the information your smartphone collects about your daily movement can tell doctors a lot about how quickly and well you'll get back on your feet after breaking a leg or a hip. It's like your phone holds clues to your body's natural ability to heal and get moving again, even before the injury happens. This could be a really helpful tool for doctors and patients. Pre-Injury Mobility Could Be Key To Recovery Success The study's findings, published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, researchers discovered that the data from smartphones, like how many steps a person took each day, how fast they walked, how long their steps were, and their walking style (gait), all give a clear picture of how well they are likely to recover after their bone break. It turns out that your body's usual way of moving before the injury is a strong indicator of how your recovery will go and how well you'll regain your physical abilities later on. How It Revolutionizes Orthopedic Care with Personalized Insights Researchers believe that using smartphone data in this way has the potential to really change how doctors provide care for broken bones. It can help doctors give patients a better idea of what to expect during recovery, spot any problems earlier, and create recovery plans that are specifically tailored to each person based on their own movement history. This means a more personalized and effective healing process. How Did The Study Find This? To do this study, the researchers asked 107 adults who had already had surgery for a broken hip or leg at least six months earlier to share the data collected by their Apple iPhones. This information included things like their daily step count, their usual walking speed, how long their steps were, and the way they typically walked. By looking at this past movement data, the researchers could see patterns related to their recovery. The study's results clearly showed that there's a strong link between a person's activity levels before they broke their leg or hip and how active they were during their recovery. For example, people who regularly took more steps each day before their injury also tended to take more steps as they were healing and getting back to their normal routines. This shows how important baseline fitness is for your body in general as well as in case of recovery. Doctors Can Now Use Phone Data for Treatment The study concluded that one’s doctors and physicians could use this information about how people moved before their injury, gathered from their smartphones, to create much more precise plans for surgery, give better advice about recovery, and set more realistic goals for physical therapy. This way, the treatment and recovery process can be designed specifically for each individual, potentially leading to better and faster healing and a return to normal activities.

smartphone data can predict recovery after leg or hip fracture

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World Hypertension Day is celebrated observed to draw attention and raise awareness about high blood pressure commonly referred to as hypertension and its risk. This worldwide campaign for healthy living emphasizes the risks of uncontrolled blood pressure, reminds people to check their blood pressure regularly, and encourages healthy living to stop or control the condition. High blood pressure is a leading reason for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, but if identified early and treated appropriately, it can save lives.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is among the most common chronic diseases worldwide—though it is still perilously underdiagnosed and undertreated. Even with decades of public health campaign and increasing medical awareness, the worldwide burden of this silent killer marches relentlessly upward. Frequently symptom-free, hypertension is a time bomb waiting to explode, when left untreated, causing life-threatening complications affecting the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, and even sexual function.

Knowing why hypertension is so dangerous begins with comprehending its elaborate, systemic effect on the body. Let's go in-depth about how this disease operates, why it's so frequently neglected, and why it's an instigator of numerous chronic diseases.

Hypertension happens when the pressure in your blood vessels is consistently higher than normal—usually 140/90 mmHg or more, states the World Health Organization (WHO). The normal and healthy level is estimated to be 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure increases when the arteries get narrow or stiff, causing the heart to work harder.

This repeated overworking can progressively result in permanent damage to essential organs. Though risky, hypertension hardly ever has obvious signs, and therefore regular screening is important.

At a global level, estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30 to 79 years have hypertension, and most of them live in low- and middle-income nations. Alarmingly, 46% of them do not even know they have it, and just 1 in 5 keeps it under control, as per WHO statistics.

In the US alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 47% of adults, or roughly 116 million individuals, have hypertension, yet only 24% control it well. The economic burden is just as overwhelming, with the US spending $131 billion each year on care related to hypertension.

<h2>Why Is Hypertension So Dangerous?</h2>

Hypertension is commonly referred to as the "silent killer" due to its lack of noticeable symptoms. Unchecked, it progressively damages your arteries and vital organs. This is how it progressively dismantles the body:

Your heart is one of the first organs to be affected by sustained high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure over time leads to:

<ul><li>Coronary artery disease, in which stiffened arteries constrict blood flow to the heart, causing chest pain (angina), arrhythmias, or heart attacks.</li><li>Heart failure, as the heart muscle stiffens or weakens and cannot pump blood efficiently.</li><li>Left ventricular hypertrophy, in which the left chamber stiffens and hypertrophies creating a risk of sudden cardiac death.</li><li>The heart has to work harder against the higher resistance, subjecting it to constant strain usually with lethal results.</li></ul>

A healthy brain depends on regular blood supply. Hypertension disrupts this in frightening ways:

<ul><li>Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or mini-strokes indicate blocked blood flow as a result of damaged arteries or clots.</li><li>Stroke, a major killer and cause of disability, happens when brain blood supply is cut off.</li><li>Vascular dementia, due to chronic impaired blood flow, affects memory and mental function.</li><li>Even a minor increase in blood pressure can multiply the risk of stroke manifold, highlighting the need for timely intervention.</li></ul>

Kidneys are the body's built-in filtration system, but their operation is greatly dependent on normal blood vessels. Long-standing hypertension may cause:

<ul><li>Kidney scarring and impaired filtration.</li><li>Kidney failure with the need for dialysis or transplant.</li><li>Aggravated damage when paired with diabetes.</li></ul>

Hypertension is among the top causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) world-wide, and its control is crucial to maintaining kidney function.

<h2>Vision Loss and Eye Complications</h2>

Elevated blood pressure can seriously impact the eyes by harming the tiny blood vessels in the retina:

<ul><li>Hypertensive retinopathy, which can lead to bleeding, blurred vision, or blindness.</li><li>Choroidopathy, where fluid accumulates and distorts vision.</li><li>Optic neuropathy, where the optic nerve becomes damaged and vision is permanently impaired.</li><li>Regular eye examinations are especially important for the hypertensive to detect such changes early.</li></ul>

Sexual health is not spared by hypertension either:

<ul><li>Male erectile dysfunction (ED) due to limited blood flow to the penis.</li><li>Reduced libido and arousal in women, commonly involving vaginal dryness or anorgasmia.</li></ul>

Such complications are under-discussed but have a strong impact on quality of life as well as relationship satisfaction.

A new study in Sweden, headed by Dr. Jonas Wuopio of the Karolinska Institutet, has discovered a direct correlation between salt consumption and the development of arterial plaque regardless of blood pressure levels. The linear correlation demonstrates that the higher the salt consumption, the greater the atherosclerosis, which implies that salt can start to damage arteries well before hypertension fully develops.

This finding underscores why dietary modification—such as reducing salt—need not await a diagnosis.

<h2>Hypertension Prevention and Management Tips</h2>

Hypertension is also mostly preventable and manageable via lifestyle modifications, such as:

<ul><li>Eating a balanced, low-sodium diet</li><li>Regular exercise</li><li>Healthy weight maintenance</li><li>Decreasing alcohol consumption and smoking cessation</li><li>Monitoring of blood pressure regularly</li></ul>

Pharmacological agents are also readily available and effective if prescribed and consistently followed.

Hypertension is not a figure, it's a complex, serious medical condition with far-reaching effects on your entire body. From heart attack and stroke to vision impairment and kidney disease, the consequences are dire and numerous but with heightened awareness, lifestyle modification, and medication, it's completely controllable.

world hypertension day 2025

high blood pressure awareness

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World Hypertension Day is celebrated observed to draw attention and raise awareness about high blood pressure commonly referred to as hypertension and its risk. This worldwide campaign for healthy living emphasizes the risks of uncontrolled blood pressure, reminds people to check their blood pressure regularly, and encourages healthy living to stop or control the condition. High blood pressure is a leading reason for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, but if identified early and treated appropriately, it can save lives.Hypertension or high blood pressure is among the most common chronic diseases worldwide—though it is still perilously underdiagnosed and undertreated. Even with decades of public health campaign and increasing medical awareness, the worldwide burden of this silent killer marches relentlessly upward. Frequently symptom-free, hypertension is a time bomb waiting to explode, when left untreated, causing life-threatening complications affecting the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, and even sexual function.Knowing why hypertension is so dangerous begins with comprehending its elaborate, systemic effect on the body. Let's go in-depth about how this disease operates, why it's so frequently neglected, and why it's an instigator of numerous chronic diseases.What Is Hypertension?Hypertension happens when the pressure in your blood vessels is consistently higher than normal—usually 140/90 mmHg or more, states the World Health Organization (WHO). The normal and healthy level is estimated to be 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure increases when the arteries get narrow or stiff, causing the heart to work harder.This repeated overworking can progressively result in permanent damage to essential organs. Though risky, hypertension hardly ever has obvious signs, and therefore regular screening is important.At a global level, estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30 to 79 years have hypertension, and most of them live in low- and middle-income nations. Alarmingly, 46% of them do not even know they have it, and just 1 in 5 keeps it under control, as per WHO statistics.In the US alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 47% of adults, or roughly 116 million individuals, have hypertension, yet only 24% control it well. The economic burden is just as overwhelming, with the US spending $131 billion each year on care related to hypertension.Why Is Hypertension So Dangerous?Hypertension is commonly referred to as the "silent killer" due to its lack of noticeable symptoms. Unchecked, it progressively damages your arteries and vital organs. This is how it progressively dismantles the body:Cardiovascular DamageYour heart is one of the first organs to be affected by sustained high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure over time leads to:Coronary artery disease, in which stiffened arteries constrict blood flow to the heart, causing chest pain (angina), arrhythmias, or heart attacks.Heart failure, as the heart muscle stiffens or weakens and cannot pump blood efficiently.Left ventricular hypertrophy, in which the left chamber stiffens and hypertrophies creating a risk of sudden cardiac death.The heart has to work harder against the higher resistance, subjecting it to constant strain usually with lethal results.Brain DamageA healthy brain depends on regular blood supply. Hypertension disrupts this in frightening ways:Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or mini-strokes indicate blocked blood flow as a result of damaged arteries or clots.Stroke, a major killer and cause of disability, happens when brain blood supply is cut off.Vascular dementia, due to chronic impaired blood flow, affects memory and mental function.Even a minor increase in blood pressure can multiply the risk of stroke manifold, highlighting the need for timely intervention.Kidney DamageKidneys are the body's built-in filtration system, but their operation is greatly dependent on normal blood vessels. Long-standing hypertension may cause:Kidney scarring and impaired filtration.Kidney failure with the need for dialysis or transplant.Aggravated damage when paired with diabetes.Hypertension is among the top causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) world-wide, and its control is crucial to maintaining kidney function.Vision Loss and Eye ComplicationsElevated blood pressure can seriously impact the eyes by harming the tiny blood vessels in the retina:Hypertensive retinopathy, which can lead to bleeding, blurred vision, or blindness.Choroidopathy, where fluid accumulates and distorts vision.Optic neuropathy, where the optic nerve becomes damaged and vision is permanently impaired.Regular eye examinations are especially important for the hypertensive to detect such changes early.Effect on Sexual HealthSexual health is not spared by hypertension either:Male erectile dysfunction (ED) due to limited blood flow to the penis.Reduced libido and arousal in women, commonly involving vaginal dryness or anorgasmia.Such complications are under-discussed but have a strong impact on quality of life as well as relationship satisfaction.A new study in Sweden, headed by Dr. Jonas Wuopio of the Karolinska Institutet, has discovered a direct correlation between salt consumption and the development of arterial plaque regardless of blood pressure levels. The linear correlation demonstrates that the higher the salt consumption, the greater the atherosclerosis, which implies that salt can start to damage arteries well before hypertension fully develops.This finding underscores why dietary modification—such as reducing salt—need not await a diagnosis.Hypertension Prevention and Management TipsHypertension is also mostly preventable and manageable via lifestyle modifications, such as:Eating a balanced, low-sodium dietRegular exerciseHealthy weight maintenanceDecreasing alcohol consumption and smoking cessationMonitoring of blood pressure regularlyPharmacological agents are also readily available and effective if prescribed and consistently followed.Hypertension is not a figure, it's a complex, serious medical condition with far-reaching effects on your entire body. From heart attack and stroke to vision impairment and kidney disease, the consequences are dire and numerous but with heightened awareness, lifestyle modification, and medication, it's completely controllable.

world hypertension day: why hypertension leads to serious health problems?

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On May 15, 2025, Japan's Sakurajima volcano erupted and sent a massive ash plume which soared 3,000 metres above the crater. This information has been confirmed by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Ever since, the JMA has maintained a Level 3 volcanic alert, which warns people to stay away from the volcano. Ash fall is also expected in surrounding areas, including in areas Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki.

While it is a natural disaster, however, this also impacts one's health. Let us look at how can volcanic eruption can impact one's health.

<h4>Volcanic Eruptions' Impact On Health</h4>

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), volcanoes are geographical formations where lava, small rocks, and steam are released onto the surface of the earth.

When a volcano erupts, it can release harmful particles, including volcanic gases and ash, into the air. These volcanic gases may have an adverse impact on your health, including:

<ul><li>Carbon Dioxide (CO2)</li><li>Sulfur Dioxide (So2)</li><li>Hydrogen Chloride (HCL)</li><li>Hydrogen Sulfide (H2s)</li><li>Radon (Rn)</li><li>Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)</li><li>Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)</li></ul>

<h4>How Each Toxic Gas Impacts Health</h4>

As per the USDA Food and Safety Inspection Service, CO2 is colorless, odorless, non-flammable gas that naturally occurs in the atmosphere. As the CDC mentions, it is also released when a volcanic eruption takes place. CO2 is considered to be minimally toxic by inhalation. The primary health effects caused by CO2 are the result of its behavior as a simple asphyxiant.

A simple asphyxiant is a gas which reduces or displaces the normal oxygen in breathing air.

Symptoms of mild CO2 exposure may include headache and drowsiness. At higher levels, rapid breathing, confusion, increased cardiac output, elevated blood pressure, and increased arrhythmias may occur. Breathing oxygen-depleted air caused by extreme CO2 concentrations can lead to death by suffocation.

As per the National Park Service, Sulfur dioxide is a colorless, reactive air pollutant with a strong odor. This gas can be a threat to human, animal and plant health.

It can irritate the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. High concentrations of SO2 can also cause inflammation and irritation of the respiratory system. This can then lead to pain when taking deep breaths, coughing, throat irritation and breathing difficulties. This gas can further affect lung function, worsen asthma attacks, and exacerbate existing heart diseases.

As per the CDC, hydrogen chloride is a colorless to slightly yellow gas with a pungent odor. On exposure to air, the gas forms dense white vapors due to condensation with atmospheric moisture.

Upon inhalation, the odor could irritate and affect the lungs. While it cannot be absorbed through the skin, its direct contact could irritate the skin and cause chemical burns. The ingestion could also lead to corrosive injury to the lips, mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach.

As per the US Department of Labor, hydrogen sulfide causes a wide range of health effects, especially if you breathe it and are exposed to it for a longer duration. Its exposure to very high concentrations could also lead to death.

It is a highly flammable, explosive gas, and can cause a life-threatening situation when not handled properly. Its exposure to skin can cause "blue skin" or frostbite.

As per the US Environmental Protection Agency, radon could lead to lung cancer. It is also the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

As per the CDC, it is also a colorless gas or liquid that could cause severe damage to the body. The effects could also depend on how long one is exposed to the gas. If it is breathed in, it can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. Breathing in a large amount could cause death from irregular heartbeat or from fluid buildup in the lungs. It can also cause rash and deep, slow-healing burns.

As per the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water run by the Australian Government, sulfuric acid is the world's largest volume industrial chemical. It is corrosive in nature and can severely burn the skin and eyes. It can also cause third-degree burns and blindness on contact. It can also irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.

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volcano impact on health

poisonous gas from volcano

On May 15, 2025, Japan's Sakurajima volcano erupted and sent a massive ash plume which soared 3,000 metres above the crater. This information has been confirmed by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).Ever since, the JMA has maintained a Level 3 volcanic alert, which warns people to stay away from the volcano. Ash fall is also expected in surrounding areas, including in areas Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki.While it is a natural disaster, however, this also impacts one's health. Let us look at how can volcanic eruption can impact one's health.Volcanic Eruptions' Impact On HealthAs per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), volcanoes are geographical formations where lava, small rocks, and steam are released onto the surface of the earth.When a volcano erupts, it can release harmful particles, including volcanic gases and ash, into the air. These volcanic gases may have an adverse impact on your health, including:Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Sulfur Dioxide (So2)Hydrogen Chloride (HCL)Hydrogen Sulfide (H2s)Radon (Rn)Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)How Each Toxic Gas Impacts HealthCarbon DioxideAs per the USDA Food and Safety Inspection Service, CO2 is colorless, odorless, non-flammable gas that naturally occurs in the atmosphere. As the CDC mentions, it is also released when a volcanic eruption takes place. CO2 is considered to be minimally toxic by inhalation. The primary health effects caused by CO2 are the result of its behavior as a simple asphyxiant.A simple asphyxiant is a gas which reduces or displaces the normal oxygen in breathing air.Symptoms of mild CO2 exposure may include headache and drowsiness. At higher levels, rapid breathing, confusion, increased cardiac output, elevated blood pressure, and increased arrhythmias may occur. Breathing oxygen-depleted air caused by extreme CO2 concentrations can lead to death by suffocation.Sulfur DioxideAs per the National Park Service, Sulfur dioxide is a colorless, reactive air pollutant with a strong odor. This gas can be a threat to human, animal and plant health.It can irritate the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. High concentrations of SO2 can also cause inflammation and irritation of the respiratory system. This can then lead to pain when taking deep breaths, coughing, throat irritation and breathing difficulties. This gas can further affect lung function, worsen asthma attacks, and exacerbate existing heart diseases.Hydrogen ChlorideAs per the CDC, hydrogen chloride is a colorless to slightly yellow gas with a pungent odor. On exposure to air, the gas forms dense white vapors due to condensation with atmospheric moisture.Upon inhalation, the odor could irritate and affect the lungs. While it cannot be absorbed through the skin, its direct contact could irritate the skin and cause chemical burns. The ingestion could also lead to corrosive injury to the lips, mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach.Hydrogen SulfideAs per the US Department of Labor, hydrogen sulfide causes a wide range of health effects, especially if you breathe it and are exposed to it for a longer duration. Its exposure to very high concentrations could also lead to death.It is a highly flammable, explosive gas, and can cause a life-threatening situation when not handled properly. Its exposure to skin can cause "blue skin" or frostbite.RadonAs per the US Environmental Protection Agency, radon could lead to lung cancer. It is also the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.Hydrogen FluorideAs per the CDC, it is also a colorless gas or liquid that could cause severe damage to the body. The effects could also depend on how long one is exposed to the gas. If it is breathed in, it can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. Breathing in a large amount could cause death from irregular heartbeat or from fluid buildup in the lungs. It can also cause rash and deep, slow-healing burns.Sulfuric AcidAs per the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water run by the Australian Government, sulfuric acid is the world's largest volume industrial chemical. It is corrosive in nature and can severely burn the skin and eyes. It can also cause third-degree burns and blindness on contact. It can also irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.

japan's sakurajima volcano eruption: does living near a volcano affect your health?

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