Protect your family from Airborne Viruses
Air pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and trigger attacks. If you or your child has asthma, have you ever noticed symptoms get worse when the air is polluted? Air pollution can make it harder to breathe. It can also cause other symptoms, like coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, and a burning feeling in the lungs.
Two key air pollutants can affects asthma. One is ozone (found in smog). The other is particle pollution (found in haze, smoke, and dust). When ozone and particle pollution are in the air, adults and children with asthma are more likely to have symptoms.
You can take steps to help protect your health from air pollution.
Get to know how sensitive you are to air pollution
Notice your asthma symptoms when you are physically active. Do they happen more often when the air is more polluted? If So, you may be sensitive to air pollution. Also notice any asthma symptoms that begin up to a day after you have been outdoors in polluted air. Air pollution can make you more sensitive to asthma triggers, like mold and dust mites. If you are more sensitive than usual to indoor asthma triggers, it could be due to air pollution outdoors.
Air Purifiers for Asthma Relief
If you are asthmatic, an air purifier can help you breathe more easily by improving indoor air quality. The best air purifiers for asthma remove the particles and allergens from the air which can trigger symptoms. By effectively cleaning the air of particles, you reduce the airborne triggers from entering your lungs.
Know when and where air pollution may be bad
Ozone is often worst on hot summer days, especially in the afternoons and early evenings Particles pollution can be bad any time of the year, even in winter. It can be especially bad when the weather is calm, allowing air pollution to build up. Particles levels can also be high:
Near busy roads, during rush hour, and around factories
When there is smoke in the air from wood stoves, fireplaces, or burning vegetation.
Plan activities when and where pollution level are lower
Regular exercise is important for staying healthy, especially for people with asthma. By adjusting when and where you exercise, you can lead a healthy lifestyle and help reduce your asthma symptoms when the air is polluted. In summer, plan your most vigorous activities for the morning. Try to exercise away from busy roads or industrial areas. on hot, smoggy days when ozone levels are high, think about exercise indoors.
Change your activity level.
When the air is polluted, try to take it easier if you are active outdoors. This will reduce how much pollution you breathe . Even if you can’t change your schedule, you might be able to change your activity so it is less intense. For example, go for walk instead of a jog. Or, spend less time on the activity. For example, jog for 20 minutes instead of 30.
Listen to your body
If you get asthma symptoms when the air is polluted, stop your activity. Find another, less intense activity.
Keep your quick-relief medicine on hand when you’re active outdoors.
The way, if you do have symptoms, you’ll be prepared. This is especially important if you’re starting a new activity that is more intense than you are used to.
Consult your health care provider
If you have asthma symptoms when the air is polluted, talk with your health care provider.
If you will be exercising more than usual, discuss this with your health care provider. Ask whether you should use medicine before you start outdoor activities.If you have symptoms during a certain type of activity, ask your health care provider if you should follow an asthma action plan.
References:
Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov
USEPA wwww.epa.gov
