Who Needs Oxygen Anyway?

It took almost 10 years, but Hong Kong's "so chunky you can eat it with a fork" air finally got to me.

Suspended particulates, combined with the return of summer's high humidity, had me short of breath, even when doing nothing more strenuous than having a conversation. Although the condition was sporadic, taking a deep breath but never feeling like I was getting enough oxygen was bothersome enough to send me to the doctor.

His diagnosis was that the constricted bronchial tubes were more an allergic reaction than something more serious, such as asthma. Not wanting to resort to a long-term drug regimen, I opted for the more expedient solution: an inhaler. It's not ideal, but at least I have the option to limit how much drug I introduce into my system.

And it's a lot cheaper than say, moving to Canada or Australia. It's going to be a few more years before the anti-pollution measures have any real impact, but for my money, the law banning idling engines can't go into effect soon enough.

Maybe then my lungs will be able to function as nature intended.

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