ABC News Radio – Allergy and asthma specialists say they are seeing more patients whose illnesses have been triggered by the heat and humidity as well as by increased levels of pollutants in the air.
“[We] have seen many new patients for the first time with a diagnosis of asthma made worse by heavy pollens and extreme temperature and humidity levels,” said Dr. Clifford Bassett, medical director of Asthma & Allergy Care of New York.
Bassett also said that in addition to pollen, mold levels increase when it’s very humid.
The heat wave is also causing more serious breathing problems, including very severe asthma attacks and a worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, several patients needed emergency treatment for both these conditions. One of them even needed a breathing tube.
During a heat wave, experts say room air conditioners may not make the environment cool enough.
Bassett advises anyone with allergies or asthma to stay where it’s air conditioned, and to change and clean the filters frequently. If you need to go outside, check the pollen counts and pay special attention to ozone alerts.
