Today is the Double Ninth Festival of the ninth month of the lunar calendar, just as everyone is familiar with the "remote knowledge of the brothers ascending the heights, and there is one less person in the dogwood", the ancient folk have the custom of ascending on the day of the Double Ninth Festival, so the Double Ninth Festival is also known as the "Ascending Festival".
As we all know, lung cancer patients can not only pay attention to their diet during the fight against cancer, but also enhance their immunity through appropriate exercise, and climbing is also an exercise that many patients will choose, because it can not only exercise their bodies, but also look into the distance and breathe fresh air.
So, can lung cancer patients climb mountains?
The answer is yes, but it varies from person to person and from mountain to mountain! Lung cancer patients who are interested in mountain climbing can climb the mountain under the correct guidance of a doctor under the condition that they are in good physical condition and have a lot of energy.
Image source: Mijian Patient Group
01
Do not go for these mountain lung cancer patients
Naturopathic remedies in forest environments, particularly the so-called "forest bathing" (Shinrin-yoku), have been shown to significantly increase the activity of the body's natural killer cells (NK cells) [1]. For lung cancer patients, it is of great significance to enhance the activity of NK cells.
NK cells are able to directly recognize and kill cancer cells, so increasing their activity may help inhibit the growth and spread of tumors. In addition, forest bathing also reduces levels of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and norepinephrine in the urine, which helps reduce stress and further enhance the function of the immune system [2].
However, this does not mean that all mountains are suitable for lung cancer patients. The following types of mountains should be kept away from lung cancer patients.
High-altitude mountains
Although studies have shown that people at high altitudes have lower rates of lung cancer, this does not mean that all people with lung disease can safely move around at high altitudes. In particular, for patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, or pulmonary hypertension, the high altitude environment may exacerbate their condition [3].
In addition to this, extreme climatic conditions at high altitudes, such as low temperatures and strong ultraviolet radiation, may also pose additional risks to patients with lung disease [4]. Low temperatures can lead to hypothermia, while strong UV radiation can exacerbate damage to skin and other tissues.
A mountain with miasma
During the National Day, Yunnan's Ailao Mountain suddenly became popular all over the Internet, I believe that many friends have also seen that the entries about Ailao Mountain have frequently appeared on social platforms hot searches, in the comment area, I saw some netizens ridiculing that "the miasma of Ailao Mountain has been sucked up", I want to say to my friends, we are not interested in making up for this excitement!
Miasma generally refers to a mixture of harmful gases that forms under specific geographical and climatic conditions, which may include high humidity, low atmospheric pressure, and specific microbial activity. While the specific components of miasma may vary from region to region, its potential health effects are significant.
The spores and toxins of mold and bacteria in the miasma environment can enter the human body through the respiratory tract and cause or aggravate respiratory diseases. Mold spores contain a large number of toxins that stimulate the immune system, leading to an abnormal immune response, and inhalation of mold spores may also cause toxic pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis [5].
For our lung cancer patients, if there is a "wound" in the lungs, it is not possible to go to the miasma environment again.
Mountains at risk of wildfires
Regardless of the physical threat posed by existing wildfires to all populations, studies have clearly shown that smoke and particulate matter from wildfires may place an additional burden on the lungs, increase the health risk of lung cancer patients, and increase the risk of death after surgery for non-small cell lung cancer [6]. Therefore, lung cancer patients should avoid traveling to forested areas where there is a risk of wildfires.
02
These groups of patients are not suitable for mountain climbing
1. Lung cancer patients in the postoperative recovery period
During the postoperative recovery period, lung cancer patients may not have fully recovered their physical strength and respiratory function, and engaging in high-intensity mountain climbing activities may increase the burden on the lungs and lead to complications.
2. Lung cancer patients with cardiomyopathy or rheumatic heart disease
In general, people with cardiomyopathy or rheumatic heart disease are not suitable for high-intensity physical activity. Patients with these disorders have weakened cardiac function, and high oxygen consumption during mountain climbing may place an additional burden on the heart and increase the risk of cardiac events [7].
3. Elderly patients with lung cancer
The intensity and type of exercise of mountain climbing may not be suitable for all older patients, especially those who are in poor physical condition or have other complications. Climbing a mountain may worsen fatigue and sleep problems in these older patients.
Image source: Photo.com
03
Precautions for mountain climbing in lung cancer patients
Be aware of temperature changes and surroundings
When climbing the mountain, there is a large temperature difference between the top and bottom of the mountain, especially at night. When climbing the mountain, cancer patients should pay attention to keeping warm and avoid fever and cold. During the climb, the road is rough and the mountain environment is humid, try to choose comfortable, non-slip hiking shoes or sports shoes, and pay attention to safety.
Observe your physical condition
When climbing the mountain, patients should pay attention to their physical condition, if there are symptoms such as chest tightness and shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, etc., stop and rest immediately, and if the symptoms are not relieved after a short rest, they should immediately seek help from a doctor to avoid tumor recurrence.
Watch for recurrence of old illnesses
Patients with cardiovascular disease, emphysema, bronchitis need to check the compensatory function in advance, if the compensatory function is good, they can climb the mountain, not vice versa.
Image source: Photo.com
epilogue
For some lung cancer patients, mountain climbing can be an ideal rehabilitation exercise and help patients fight cancer. However, Kepu Jun would like to emphasize once again that lung cancer patients must make a climbing plan according to their personal health status and doctors' advice before climbing the mountain.
bibliography
[1] Qing Li, Ari Nakadai et al. “Phytoncides (Wood Essential Oils) Induce Human Natural Killer Cell Activity.” Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology
[2] Q. Li, Maiko Kobayashi et al. “Effect of Phytoncide from Trees on Human Natural Killer Cell Function.” International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology
[3]R. Fischer. “[Visiting high altitudes--healthy persons and patients with risk diseases]..” MMW, Fortschritte der Medizin
[4] K. Mees, B. Olzowy. “[Otorhinolaryngological aspects of high altitude medicine]..” Laryngo-Rhino-Otologie(2008).
[5] W G Sorenson. “Fungal spores: hazardous to health?.” Environmental Health Perspectives
[6]S. Gomez, Salma Shariff-Marco et al. “Impact of the environment on cancer: Seeing the forest for the trees.” Cancer(2017).
[7] These four types of people are not suitable for mountain climbing[J].Health Management,2014.