Can Heatwaves Cause an Asthma Attack?
We are in the middle of a heat wave across most of the county, and I have been struggling along with everyone else
We installed central air in our home several years ago. But, I can't hide out inside a cold house forever!
I do have to go to work - the mortgage company likes me to send them money every month. They're serious about that.
And my family likes to eat 3 times a day, so we have lots of trips to the grocery store.
So off to work I go!
At night, we take walks around the block, but I am really struggling.
I know I'm not out of shape, and know asthma is the culprit - again.
There are a LOT of asthma triggers, and the heat is one of them.
Heat as an asthma trigger
Did you know that heat can cause an asthma attack?
Strange, but true!
I love summer, but temperatures over 100 degrees are a little much for me. Climate change is causing heat waves around the world.
".......extreme weather can strain the respiratory system, making breathing harder for individuals, especially those at higher risk. For people with asthma, breathing in hot air, whether dry or filled with moisture, can trigger symptoms because it causes the airways to tighten and narrow."
Not only can the heat trigger an asthma attack, but it can also cause poor air quality.
How?
Ozone
Ozone usually occurs when heat and sunlight chemically react with air pollution, nitrogen oxide (Nox), and volatile organic compounds (VOC's).
The invisible gas (ozone) can cause coughing, shortness of breath, inflammation in the lungs - an increased risk of lung infections.
Double whammy
Heat waves and ozone can be uncomfortable - and dangerous.
Some cities will set up "cooling centers" during heat waves, where you can escape the heat for free.
If you can't find a cooling center, you can try your local mall, library or other public building.
Good luck and be careful out there!
Hi Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog while doing a search for parents of children with chronic diseases. I am a research associate at KDH Research & Communication in Atlanta, Georgia. We are submitting a proposal to the National Institutes of Health for a program to increase access to education for children with chronic illnesses, like asthma.
We are currently searching for parents of children with a chronic illness who would be willing to read our concept note. If, upon reading the note, they think our program would be helpful, we ask that they write a letter of support.
Letters of support from parents who have experienced frustration or have struggled with getting educational services for their children would increase the likelihood of our proposal being accepted.
In return, we are entering the names of parents who write letters into a drawing for a $250 gift card to their choice of Wal-Mart, Target, or Amazon.com.
We appreciate any assistance that you may be able to provide in the matter, such as providing a letter or passing our information along to parents.
Time is of the essence—we must have all letters in hand by August 4th, 2011.
Feel free to email me at KStringer@kdrhc.com
Many thanks,
Kimberly
Kimberly, I will send an email so we can discuss this. Thanks for your interest in my cause!
ReplyDeleteHello, I am with the environmental group Friends of the Earth and I am doing a project on ordinary Americans impacted by extreme weather. We are particularly interested speaking with families or individuals living with asthma in extreme summer heat or near wildfires. I'd love to talk with someone from your blog about our project and I'm hoping you might know of some asthma sufferers who would be interested in participating in our project.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Peter Stocker
Membership Director
Friends of the Earth
530 749 9935