Dry, hot summers lead to dusty conditions, which mean trouble for asthmatics. Source:www.imaginova.com
Printer Friendly Format

Although August is National Clean Air Month, Mother Nature has already sent an ominous cloud of African dust whirling across the Atlantic and through Florida. Experts say the dust cloud is not likely to severely affect Texans, but the hot, dry summer could still lead to dusty conditions – meaning trouble for people with asthma or other respiratory problems. More than 20 million Americans suffer from asthma. In Bexar County, there are more than 34,000 cases of pediatric asthma.

Two key air pollutants can affect asthma. One is ozone, found in smog. The other is particle pollution, found in haze, smoke and dust (source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Faculty experts at the Health Science Center advise asthmatics and people with other respiratory problems to take precautions. David Vines, assistant professor in the department of respiratory therapy at the Health Science Center, said the particles present in dust may cause problems for asthmatics and people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“Any particles in dust will irritate the lung airways,” Vines said. “This can result in the patient’s airways becoming swelled and constricted, causing coughing, chest pain, tightness, wheezing and trouble breathing.”

Vines said asthma and COPD patients should take the following precautions:
• Limit your exposure by staying indoors with an air-filtered air conditioning system
• Exercise indoors
• Keep quick-relief medications available when outdoors
• Consult your health care provider

Helpful Web sites:
• www.epa.gov/airnow
• www.cdc.gov/asthma
• www.yourlunghealth.org

The Health Science Center has one of the best bachelor’s degree programs in respiratory therapy in the nation. The program ranked among the top five out of 54 accredited baccalaureate degree programs in the country, according to a poll taken by the American Association for Respiratory Care.

Contact: Natalie Gutierrez
Phone: (210) 567-6814
E-mail: gutierrezn@uthscsa.edu