Nutrition In Silicosis

Silicosis is a chronic occupational disease that develops as a result of prolonged inhalation of dust containing free silica.

The most commonly affected groups of people are those working in mines, quarries, quarries, miners, miners, woodworkers, drillers and others. Workers in foundries engaged in the production of refractory materials and ceramics are also at risk.

The symptoms

The first stage is a cough and chest pain. When performing physical labor, shortness of breath occurs, which intensifies over time, also sputum, breathing becomes more frequent, wet wheezing appears.

If no treatment is taken, the cough will torment the patient constantly, there may be blood in the sputum, the skin becomes pale, cyanosis of the mucous membranes begins to develop.

In the treatment of silicosis are important hardening of the body, walking in the fresh air, strengthening the body's defenses and proper balanced nutrition. We will pay attention to the latter.

• The patient must receive large amounts of protein with food - this will strengthen the immune system. These include: eggs, cottage cheese, cheese, poultry (chicken, turkey), beef (especially stewed), liver (stewed or in the form of pate), fish (especially tuna, sardines, mullet, mackerel).
• In silicosis, it is important to take lipotropic substances (methionine, choline), as they have a beneficial effect on the liver. Products containing these ingredients are: chicken eggs, beef, lean fish, seafood, skimmed cottage cheese, milk and dairy products, unrefined vegetable fats, buckwheat, peas.
• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is also of great importance, it is a universal antitoxic substance. It can be obtained by consuming citrus fruits, blackcurrants, sweet peppers, buckthorn, kiwi, honeysuckle, white and Brussels sprouts, broccoli, strawberries, spinach, viburnum fruits, rose hips.
• It is useful to take easily digestible carbohydrates (the main source of energy are): sugar and products containing such - honey, jam, confectionery, chocolate.
• Fats are also useful, but natural ones (butter, olive oil, unrefined sunflower oil) should be preferred.
• It is recommended to drink 1.5-2 liters of fluid daily, and this can be fruit and vegetable juices, tea (maybe with milk), light coffee.
• It is important to eat fruits, including berries and vegetables - boiled, raw or baked - they saturate the body with vitamins and trace elements.
• We should not forget about the consumption of cereals in the form of porridges and soups (oatmeal, buckwheat, barley, rice, millet) - enrich the body with nutrients and trace elements, improve intestinal peristalsis.
• In silicosis it is recommended to eat all kinds of nuts (pistachios, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts), dried apricots, wheat, spinach, prunes, sorrel, oatmeal, barley, salmon, eel, squid. They are all sources of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant, neutralizes the action of free radicals and increases the body's defenses.

• It is recommended to consume more buckwheat, apricots, rose hips, blackcurrants, lettuce, citrus peels - they contain vitamin P - an antioxidant and useful in intoxication.
• Vitamin A is also an antioxidant and restores the body's defenses. Contained in beef and chicken liver, cheese (also melted versions), sour cream, cottage cheese, butter, seaweed, sweet potatoes, broccoli, eel meat.

Dangerous and harmful foods in silicosis

• People suffering from the disease is not desirable to drink strong coffee, it is allowed weakly in small quantities due to the caffeine content.
• Smoked and semi-smoked products, salted and spicy products raise blood pressure and contribute to the accumulation of toxins in the body, so it is not appropriate to be present at the table.
• Alcoholic beverages and smoking also have a toxic effect on the body.
• Fast food, chips, sweet carbonated drinks lead to weight gain and obesity, in addition, they weaken the body's defenses.