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Weather and Asthma

Dr. Kagen,

I am conducting a research project regarding the effects of weather conditions (including pollen counts) on lung capacity. I am using a peak flow meter to identify the changes in lung capacity. I hope to find out how much the weather effects asthma and be able to plan ahead and take medication before rather than after I experience trouble breathing because of the weather.

Can you help me with my research??

Thanks for asking about the relationship between air quality and asthma symptoms.

Asthma sufferers have what we term hyper-reactive airways, or ticklish lungs. This means that cold or dry air, air with irritating fumes and vapors, and polluted air [ozone] may all cause symptoms of asthma and difficulty breathing.

The peak flow meter is a crude and often inaccurate way to measure how the lungs are doing. You may however be able to detect a decline in your lung functioning using this device, especially before it rains. Prior to rainfall and thunderstorms there is an updraft air current that increases the mold spore level. Mold allergic patients have a flare of symptoms as the rain approaches. Also, high humidity may cause a flare of wheezing and difficulty breathing in some asthmatics.

Pollen and mold allergic patients also experience more symptoms when they inhale those sources of allergens that they are allergic to. Pollen and mold spores are the cause of many asthma attacks, flares of breathing difficulties and hospitalizations. Fatal asthmatic attacks are known to occur during peak pollen and mold spore weather events.

The best advice I can give you is to discuss your condition with your Allergy and Asthma Specialist. Avoidance is the treatment of choice, so keep the air conditioning going during periods of high outdoor aeroallergen levels.

Good luck with your efforts to improve your breathing capacity.

Steve Kagen, M.D.

Allernet.com