Smoke in the air - should I be concerned? đĽ
Many people are experiencing âdifferentâ health issues since our air quality here at home dropped due to the wildfires đĽ
From shortness of breath, itchiness, to watery eyesâŚ. the list is getting longer and longer.
Today, Iâll share with a few of the most common challenges our patients are having since the recent smoke and poor air quality, how to know if itâs something to be worried about, and what to do to help.
Before we get started, Iâm hoping you enjoyed last weekâs newsletter on âHow to select the best beef steak, and my grilling secretsâ. If you missed it, you can use this link, Here.
Whether you are personally, or know someone that is, experiencing some different âunusualâ health challenges, take a few minutes to read todayâs newsletter to see if it answers some of your questions đ
Ready? Letâs clear the air âď¸
Shortness of Breath, Eye irritation?
Wildfire smoke from the fires in Canada has been causing dangerous air pollution in the northeastern and midwestern US and now, here in NJ.
And sadly, forecasters are saying that the smoke could spread and that the air could remain dangerously contaminated for everyone in affected areas of North America for months to come.
How wildfire smoke affects your body, and how you can protect yourself
The impact of smoke from wildfires can range from eye and respiratory tract irritation to more serious disorders, including reduced lung function, bronchitis, exacerbation of asthma, heart failure, and premature death. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to smoke exposure â but itâs a problem for all of us.
The chronic exposure to longer-lasting, more frequent wildfires could have serious effects on our health - from our lungs to our kidneys, liver, brain, and heart.
Over the past few weeks, our area has had some of the worst air quality in the world. The pollution has been the result of smoke from Canadian wildfire smoke dispersing and placing millions of people under air quality alerts.
We have found ourselves checking the current and 2-day forecasted levels for ourselves and those we love anywhere within the United States, by using the website: AirNow.gov
Wildfire smoke contains a variety of gases and particles from the materials that fuel the fire, including ozone, carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic compounds, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter - pollutants linked to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
When a healthy person breathes in air tinged with smoke from the fires, they may feel a sting in their eyes, and when they cough, they may have trouble recovering their breath. But what happens to that same individual when they breathe smoky air for extended periods every year is becoming an issue.
People were once exposed once or twice in a lifetime, now itâs happening every summer and for longer.
From ground stops at airports to events being canceled due to poor air quality, this yearâs wildfire outlook hasnât gotten off to a very good start.
In the US, our air quality is measured on a color-coded scale known as the Air Quality Index (AQI). Stretching from 0 to 500, the AQI is split across six categories - from good to hazardous.
People should frequently check the local Air Quality Maps and limit their time outdoors if the results show to do so.
Sleeping with the windows closed and using an air conditioner or fan can be helpful (especially one with a HEPA filter to reduce the number of the dangerous small particles in the air).
Wildfire smoke is a very complex type of air pollution. It has many different gases in it, and the composition of those small particles can be highly variable, depending on whatâs burning, and how hot it is burning.
Of particular concern, are the particles measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller, also referred to as PM 2.5. These small particles are capable of penetrating deep into a personâs lungs. The body responds by releasing the same immune cells it would deploy to attack a virus. Unlike a virus, however, particulate matter isnât broken down by our immune system responses and results in long-lasting inflammation.
This inflammation and chronic exposure to longer-lasting more frequent wildfires can have serious effects on our health - from our lungs to our kidneys, liver, heart and brain!
Inflammation can be a good thing for fighting off invaders. But itâs especially dangerous for anyone with underlying conditions such as asthma or COPD, both characterized by inflammation. Additional inflammation can exacerbate those diseases. Itâs a very delicate balance and your body can go overboard.
With these and similar diseases, it can be harder to get much-needed oxygen to the rest of the body. When the body is fighting off a threat, the air sacs can fill up with mucus so that air cannot pass through. This also makes it more difficult for the body to eliminate the carbon dioxide, which can also cause respiratory distress.
One study found exposure to wildfire smoke in the summer correlated with three to five times more flu cases later in the year.
What does shortness of Breath feel like?
Shortness of breath can be a scary feeling. Itâs a subjective sensation, meaning it canât be measured. However, doctors can measure other things that may be caused by shortness of breath, such as your blood oxygen levels.
If your blood oxygen level is too low, it means youâre not taking in enough oxygen and itâs not circulating with your red blood cells. This can be dangerous, especially if your blood oxygen levels dip too low.
If youâre experiencing shortness of breath, you might feel like you canât get enough air into your lungs - and that you canât do it quickly enough.
It may seem as though youâre running short on oxygen. It may be more difficult to inhale and exhale. Sometimes you might be compelled to draw a breath before youâve even finished exhaling.
Symptoms that appear with shortness of breath may include:
a tight sensation in your chest
a feeling of suffocation
feeling like you need to work harder than normal to catch your breath
feeling like you need to breathe more often or more quickly
feeling like your body canât get oxygen quickly enough
feeling like you canât take full breaths
difficulty fully catching your breath
You might notice yourself becoming increasingly short of breath over a long period of time, or it could happen out of the blue. Symptoms are often most noticeable when youâre physically active, like when you climb stairs or try to exercise, but shortness of breath can happen even if youâre at rest.
Risk Factors
You may be at a higher risk of shortness of breath or other related conditions if you have:
weak muscles, especially those involved in breathing, such as your diaphragm
asthma or other chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD or cystic fibrosis
low hemoglobin levels
a work or living space which includes things that trigger asthma (like perfumes, colognes, chemicals, etc.)
a compromised immune system or a heightened risk of developing respiratory illness
a tendency to smoke often
Shortness of breath can be a symptom of many different health conditions. It can range from mild to serious, and may come on gradually or happen suddenly.
If youâre experiencing shortness of breath, you might feel like you canât get enough air into your lungs, and that you canât do it quickly enough. It may be difficult to inhale and exhale, and you might feel like you need to draw a breath before youâve even finished exhaling.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Wildfire smokeâs impacts on the human body can present themselves in a number of ways and can lead to chronic health issues.
Look for changes in your voice and burning in the nasal cavity, the mouth and the throat, which would indicate that you are getting exposure that is irritating the lining of your airways.
Other symptoms include:
⢠Coughing
⢠Shortness of breath
⢠Chest pain
⢠An asthma attack
⢠Fast heartbeat
⢠Headache
⢠Eye irritation or stinging eyes
⢠Sore or scratchy throat
⢠Runny nose
⢠Tiredness
Those with heart disease and respiratory issues will likely experience worsening symptoms including tiredness, coughing or wheezing.
Seek medical attention any time you experience unusual shortness of breath, especially if the feeling persists after youâve rested, or you have other concerning symptoms such as chest pressure, nausea, fever, or chills.
What can you do to minimize the smoke in the air that you breathe?
In the US, our air quality is measured on a color-coded scale known as the Air Quality Index (AQI). Stretching from 0 to 500, the AQI is split across six categories - from good to hazardous.
People should frequently check local Air Quality Maps and limit their time outdoors if the results show to do so. To check current and 2-day forecasted levels anywhere is the United States, use the website: AirNow.gov
Keep windows closed, use an air purifier if possible, and if an air conditioner is on, close the fresh air intake to prevent outdoor air from entering inside your home, and vehicle.
Wildfire smoke is a very complex type of air pollution. It has many different gases in it, and the composition of those small particles can be highly variable, depending on whatâs burning, and how hot it is burning.
Itâs important to not add to indoor pollution by cooking with gas, frying food, using air fresheners or perfumes, smoking, or even vacuuming (that stirs up dust and other air particles). If you have a room you can keep cool, close the windows and doors, and if possible, run a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter. Donât go outside if the Air Quality Index is unhealthy!
When to contact a Doctor
Worrying symptoms, together with shortness of breath, that require prompt medical attention include:
pain or pressure in your chest
a âwindedâ feeling that persists even after youâve been resting for 30 minutes
wheezing or a whistling sound when you inhale and exhale
a high-pitched sound when you breathe, known as a stridor
nausea
fainting
coughing, chills, and elevated body temperature
blue fingertips or lips
swollen ankles and feet
worsening shortness of breath after youâve used an inhaler
difficulty breathing while lying flat on your back
If you have any combination of these symptoms along with shortness of breath, itâs important to call your doctor or visit an emergency room for immediate medical care.
NOTE: Being short of breath isnât the same thing as having trouble breathing. When youâre having difficulty breathing normally, you might feel like:
you canât completely inhale or exhale
your throat or chest are closing up or it feels like thereâs a squeezing sensation around them
thereâs an obstruction, narrowing, or tightening of your airway
something is physically keeping you from breathing
**** Difficulty breathing is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention!
How is shortness of Breath treated?
Treatment for shortness of breath depends on the underlying cause. Once you are examined, you will be provided a diagnosis, and treatment may involve one or more of the following:
Medication. There may be medications to help you breathe easier to reduce swelling in your lungs.
Prescription supplements. You may need to take prescription supplements to raise your iron levels.
Surgery. Surgery may be a treatment option for certain conditions, such as chronic blood clots or structural problems with your heart.
Oxygen therapy. You may be given oxygen therapy to help support your breathing.
Antibiotics. If you have a bacterial infection, you may be given antibiotic medication.
Avoiding tobacco and allergy triggers. You may be recommended to quit smoking or avoid secondhand smoke to help you breathe more easily, as well as avoid exposure to allergy triggers or other potential lung irritants (such as chemicals, perfumes, air fresheners, etc).
Lifestyle changes. If obesity is a contributing factor, you may recommended to change your lifestyle habits. This will likely include eating a balanced diet and exercising more often.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Smoke is a collection of tiny unburnt particles â very small carbon particles and tiny droplets of tar. Smoke occurs when there is incomplete combustion (not enough oxygen to burn the fuel completely). In complete combustion, everything is burned, producing just water and carbon dioxide.
Hopefully youâve learned a few things about Air Quality and Wildfire Smoke that you didnât know before today.
Wildfire smoke is a very complex type of air pollution. It has many different gases in it, and the composition of those small particles can be highly variable, depending on whatâs burning, and how hot it is burning.
The inflammation caused and chronic exposure to longer-lasting and more frequent wildfires can have serious effects on our health - from our lungs to our kidneys, liver, heart and brain!
Wildfire smokeâs impacts on the human body can present themselves in a number of ways and can lead to chronic health issues.
Sadly, forecasters are saying that the smoke could spread and that the air could remain dangerously contaminated for everyone in affected areas of North America for months to come.
If you are noticing some âdifferentâ health issues, or feel like you are having shortness of breath, please make an appointment with me so that we can see whatâs happening, and how to correct the situation before it gets out of hand.
As always, to make an appointment with me use this link: HERE.
Or, you can always give me a call at (973) 210-3838
Stay safe out there, my friends!