For the 20 million Americans who suffer from asthma, environmental hazards can trigger an asthma attack during the waning summer months. Common triggers include high ozone levels, high humidity, and even strong winds, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease that kills about 5,000 people every year. It occurs when the main air passages of the lungs – the bronchial tubes – become inflamed. The muscles of the bronchial walls tighten and extra mucus is produced, which causes the airways to narrow. Even people with mild asthma can suffer a life-threatening attack caused by environmental hazards.
Over half of asthma attacks are caused by environmental allergens and irritants such as smoke, pollen, and animal dander. The AAAAI offers these tips to help reduce your risk:
- Watch for changing weather conditions, such as ozone alerts, changes in temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, or strong winds that can aggravate asthma.
- Minimize strenuous physical activity outdoors on days when temperatures are excessively high. Sports that require short bursts of energy, such as baseball, football, wrestling, golfing, gymnastics, swimming, walking or hiking, are less likely to trigger asthma. People with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) should not stop exercising. Many asthmatics have found that with proper training and medical treatment, they are able to reduce their symptoms of EIA.
- Take medications as prescribed by your allergist/immunologist in the recommended dosage. Do not take more medication to ease severe symptoms without consulting with your doctor first.
- Use an air conditioner in both your home and car to keep air clean, cool, and dry.
- Sit far away from smoke created by campfires or someone who is smoking.
- Do not stand directly behind cars that are running. Exhaust fumes could trigger an asthma attack. Air out tents, tree houses, or other confined places where mold – a common allergen – could be found.
- Shower and wash your hair every night before going to bed to remove allergens from your hair and avoid getting them on your pillow.
- Leave shoes outside before you come in the house. You'll avoid tracking pollen indoors.
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