Wildfires and asthma





Many of you who read my blog know that I am VERY nervous when it comes to forest fires. Son #2 ended up in ICU and almost died several years ago when we had a fire here. The whole valley filled with smoke (and smoke and asthma are NOT a good mix!)


It's so scary to read about what is happening to people with asthma in California. Did you know they  had to close schools in Central California?! (I know that's every kid's dream - that school is closed - but I'm not sure if that means they are stuck in their house of if they can take off to the beach.)

The article says, "Record drought in the Western US that has contributed to an explosive wildfire season is sending droves of wheezing, coughing patients to physicians and asthma clinics."
No wonder people with asthma are having a hard time! In the article, they list all of the pollutants in the smoke (it's a long list and I can't pronounce half of the list). 

And with no rain in sight, there's nothing to help with the fires. Dr. Vipul Jain, is a University of California San Francisco pulmonologist. He says that
"Patients feel it coming. Typically patients with COPD and asthma. They get coughing spasms because their lungs are trying to expel the irritants."

He tells them to stay indoors, use their inhalers, and keep the windows closed at night.

Another doctor from Bakersfield, Dr. Thu Yein, is also a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at San Joaquin Community Hospital. He says he sees patients too from forest fires. 

"It's usually within 3 weeks of a forest fire. It happens every year."   
I feel sorry for all of the people in California that have asthma. I know how hard it is to try to breathe when the valley is filled with smoke. When the fires first started in California, the smoke covered our state (2 states away!) We had to keep our windows closed for a week, turn the air cleaners on full speed, and stay inside. I can't imagine being stuck in that smoke week after week.

And how do the fire fighters stand being out in that thick smoke?

All I can say is that I am keeping my fingers crossed for rain for California! Just not too much - because then they would have flash floods.......
Record drought in the Western US that has contributed to an explosive wildfire season is sending droves of wheezing, coughing patients to physicians and asthma clinics. - See more at: http://www.hcplive.com/medical-news/pulmonology-crisis-wildfires-have-the-west-wheezing#sthash.4QDUuzLl.dpuf
Record drought in the Western US that has contributed to an explosive wildfire season is sending droves of wheezing, coughing patients to physicians and asthma clinics. - See more at: http://www.hcplive.com/medical-news/pulmonology-crisis-wildfires-have-the-west-wheezing#sthash.4QDUuzLl.dpuf
Record drought in the Western US that has contributed to an explosive wildfire season is sending droves of wheezing, coughing patients to physicians and asthma clinics. - See more at: http://www.hcplive.com/medical-news/pulmonology-crisis-wildfires-have-the-west-wheezing#sthash.4QDUuzLl.dpuf
 

 


Comments

  1. Hi,

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  2. Dear Asthma mom :)
    I am a design student at the TU Delft. Together with my group I am designing for children with asthma. We hope to empower kids with asthma and to improve their wellbeing and quality of life. We would love for you to be involved in our project, we all feel your blog is so inspiring! If you would like to get in touch - we would be so happy! You can send us an email at designstudiocatch@gmail.com, if you want to. I hope to hear from you, and in any case: keep writing your blog! We are all sure it is of great inspiration and help to many people accross the web! All the best, Thomas

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  3. I'm a Nigerian and we use natural remedies to cure asthma...why not try out this easy recipe??? A mixture of honey and castor oil 5:1 (a Tbsp morning and evening)...
    *NB* Not to be taken by pregnant women. Thanks. I'll await your testimonies.

    ReplyDelete

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