Global Warming And Concretization Trigger Asthma Attacks
Increasing urbanization, industrialization and deforestation around the world affect the incidence of diseases as well as environmental threats. Increasing temperatures, especially with climate change, increase the number of health-related complaints in summer. Prof. From the Asthma and Allergy Working Group of the Turkish Respiratory Research Association (TÜSAD). Dr. According to the information shared by Levent Cem Mutlu, global warming and concretization can trigger attacks of asthma patients.
Speaking to Sümeyye Aksu from Ellips Haber, Prof. Dr. Mutlu said that according to estimates, there are around 300 million asthma patients in the world, and that patients are directly affected by climate change-induced weather changes. Stating that asthma symptoms can be exacerbated by substances such as infection, cigarette smoke, air pollution, exercise, occupational agents, house dust mites called allergens, pollen, skin rashes of animals and fungal spores, Prof. Dr. Mutlu stated that hot weather can cause asthma attacks just like cold weather.
“Hot air can cause an asthma attack by directly stimulating the bronchi,” said Prof. Dr. Mutlu said, “As the rate of allergens such as pollen and plant dust increases in the inhaled air with temperatures and humidity above seasonal normals, an increase in asthma attacks is observed. The increase in the amount of ozone in the atmosphere due to sunlight is another risk for asthma patients. Increasing ozone causes asthma attacks by stimulating the airways.
Stating that asthma is a common chronic disease that can affect people of all ages, Prof. Dr. Mutlu said, “While asthma is estimated to affect 350 million people all over the world, this number is expected to reach 400 million by 2025. Asthma development mechanisms differ from patient to patient, but allergic mechanisms can be mentioned in more than half of the patients. While the number of asthmatic patients is increasing all over the world, the number of allergic asthma is also increasing.
prof. Dr. Mutlu listed the things that asthma patients should pay attention to in extreme heat as follows: “Do not go out as much as possible during periods of increased temperature and humidity, and do not travel to areas with high humidity. Prefer the sea instead of the pool, as chlorine or other chemical disinfectants used in pool disinfection can trigger asthma attacks. Prefer vehicles with pollen trap air filters during the journey, change the pollen filters on time. Have regular maintenance of air conditioners used in indoor environments and choose devices that contain pollen filters. Take your medications in adequate doses and with the right technique. Avoid other triggers, especially smoking. Do your exercises during the cooler times of the day. If your symptoms increase, contact your doctor immediately.”
Back To School With Allergies & Asthma
Partner Content Between buying school supplies, scheduling annual physicals, encouraging summer reading, and starting earlier bedtimes, we know you are doing everything possible to set your child up for school success. Still, when they head back to school, many children will experience a flare-up of itchy, watering eyes and congestion, making their first weeks back less successful. In fact, allergies and asthma are both common causes of missing school for students.
Whether your child is allergic to pollen, dust mites, molds, classroom pets, or foods — or some combination of those — school environments are often rife with allergens. Hopefully, the symptoms are only a mild nuisance; but for some, allergy symptoms during the school day can impact sleep, school performance, and even their social life.
But allergies aren’t the only offender – doctors often see a peak in hospitalizations in late September due to asthma attacks, especially in children. Viruses are a common trigger for asthma; our physicians often see a spike in the respiratory viruses as students return to school due to increased exposure to germs. Some children have allergic asthma, which means that the exposure to new allergens may also trigger asthmatic reactions.
Here are the signs and symptoms of some of the most common allergies and what to do about them:Itchy, Watering Eyes, Stuffy Nose, and Sneezing
Pollen, dust mites, and molds are often present in classrooms. These can cause allergic rhinitis (“hay fever”), which can exacerbate asthma. Immunotherapy treatments are the most effective way to stop the symptoms of these types of allergies and asthma. That said, to really be most effective, you should start immunotherapy treatment about three months before your most symptomatic time of year.Drowsiness and Fatigue
No one concentrates well on little sleep. Restless nights can cause unfocused and unmotivated days in the classroom, on the field, and at the dinner table. If allergies keep your child from getting a good night’s sleep, treating those symptoms could make all the difference in your child’s daytime classroom performance. And, if you’re already treating your child’s allergies, make sure that you’re not using an over-the-counter allergy medication that causes drowsiness.Issues With Lunch or Classroom Treats
If your child has a known food allergy, you may have already thought to speak to school administrators and their teachers about it. If you still need to, be sure you ask for a tour of the school and get some information on how lunches and snacks are prepared. If you think your child has a serious food allergy, you likely will need specific allergy skin testing and perhaps an oral food challenge provided by an allergy specialist.
African American mother and daughter running through park. Focus on little girl.Spring into Action!
If your child struggles with allergies or asthma, schedule a visit with one of our board-certified allergists to develop an asthma and anaphylaxis action plan. These plans may include permission to bring a rescue inhaler to school and when it should be administered (before gym class is a common option). It may also recommend that an epinephrine auto-injector is on hand for severe allergies. Whatever the case, a board-certified allergist will identify triggers and prepare an action plan specialized to your child’s needs, ensuring a safe and successful school year!
Feel better. Sleep better. Look better. See an allergist.
One visit with the allergist will identify your allergic triggers and develop a treatment plan.
All the physicians of Allergy & Asthma Specialists are board-certified in allergy and clinical immunology. You can easily schedule an appointment at one of eight convenient locations, and we can usually determine the source of your allergies in a single visit using skin testing without the use of needles. To learn more, contact us today at 1-800-86-COUGH, or visit our website with information on the location closest to you.
Schedule an appointment at any of the 8 convenient locations online or call 610-825-5800.
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Doctor Issues ‘thunderstorm Asthma’ Warning As Weather Phenomenon Can Trigger Attack
People with asthma have been warned stormy weather can increase instances of asthma attacks, with those who have both asthma and hay fever most commonly affected by ‘thunderstorm asthma’Video Loading
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What is Asthma?
A GP has urged the public to educate themselves about the risk of thunderstorm asthma, as stormy weather is set to batter much of the UK today (August 2).
Thunderstorm asthma refers to “a phenomenon that links asthma attacks and stormy weather”, according to Dr Neel Patel, GP at Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor. “Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, breathlessness and a tight feeling in the chest,” the expert explained.
“In the UK, around 5.4 million people have asthma. That’s one in 12 adults and one in 11 children. Every 10 seconds somebody in the UK has a life-threatening asthma attack, also known as an asthma exacerbation. Although most are not fatal, sadly, asthma attacks kill three people in the UK each day.”
With a Met office warning for thunderstorms in place in parts of the UK until 8pm, those with asthma have been urged to be especially vigilant today. Thunderstorm asthma can be experienced by anybody with asthma, but it’s most common in people who also have hay fever, warned the doctor.
Explaining the risks, he said: “There are two reasons why thunderstorms can lead to more asthma attacks. Firstly, high winds draw more pollen into the air. Moisture in the air breaks these pollen granules into smaller particles which can get deeper into the airways in the lungs, triggering asthma symptoms.
“Added to this, the air can feel very close and humid before a storm. For people with asthma, this can trigger a tight chest, cough and difficulty breathing.” As such, it is important to be mindful of the symptoms, which are the same as those of asthma. They include wheezing, breathlessness, a tight chest and coughing.
“If you have both asthma and hay fever, monitor the weather forecast and be aware of when a thunderstorm is expected,” added Dr Patel, before he shared the following advice.
Prepare an asthma action plan
“An asthma action plan details which medicines you can take to prevent attacks, what to do if your symptoms are getting worse and the emergency action to take in the event of an asthma attack.
“Ensure people you spend a lot of time with are familiar with your action plan and keeping a copy on your person (even if only on your phone) is always a good idea – but especially when storms are forecast,” the GP advised.
Keep your inhaler handy
“If you have asthma, it’s a good idea to always have your reliever asthma inhaler close at hand. But it’s even more important when thunderstorms are forecast,” he added.
Stay indoors
“Of course, the pollen concentration will be greatest in the air outside. Stay indoors with the windows closed as much as possible before, during and after the storm,” said the expert.
Wear a mask outside
“If you have to go outdoors, wearing a mask could help. Although not much research has been done into the effectiveness of wearing a mask, it’s thought this can help filter out some of the pollen particles from the air you inhaler.”
Avoid other triggers
“Before, during and after a storm, avoid anything that you know worsens your symptoms. This may include things like exercise and alcohol,” the pro explained.
Take your usual medicine
“You should continue taking your usual medication, even if you don’t yet feel symptoms worsening. Common asthma treatments include preventer inhalers, reliever inhalers and tablets.”
However, it may be the case you experience asthma for the first time during a thunderstorm. “If you feel very tight in the chest and have difficulty breathing, you should seek urgent medical advice, even if you haven’t been diagnosed with asthma previously,” Dr Patel urged. More asthma advice is available from LloydsPharmacy and the NHS website.