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Strong Women
Feeling wheezy all of a sudden? You could be suffering from ‘thunderstorm asthma’
By Lauren Geall
2 years ago
4 min read
Thunderstorm asthma is a rare but serious phenomenon triggered by thunderstorm activity. Here’s everything you need to know, including how to protect yourself and when to seek treatment.
To say the weather has been all over the place recently would be an understatement. If you’ve tuned in to a recent weather forecast, you’ll have some sense of the chaos out there – from yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms to a rare amber warning for heat, there’s been plenty to take in.
The very real threat of sunburn and heat stroke aside, however, there’s another potential health threat linked to the current conditions: a phenomenon known as ‘thunderstorm asthma’.
The condition, which can be experienced by individuals both with and without asthma, is rare, but it can be very serious; just last week the influencer Grace Beverley revealed that she had been hospitalised because of an asthma attack that doctors believe was triggered by a thunderstorm.
To help you understand the risks, and wrap your head around what thunderstorm asthma is, we asked the experts to explain more about the potentially dangerous phenomenon.
What is thunderstorm asthma?
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To put it simply, thunderstorm asthma is a term used to describe an increase in people reporting asthma-like symptoms that have been linked to thunderstorm activity.
It may sound made-up, but it’s certainly not. In fact, a period of thunderstorm asthma is a rare but potentially life-threatening event, and it can affect both children and adults.
Those who already suffer from asthma or hay fever (more on that later) or are under the age of 30 are thought to be more susceptible, but it’s possible for anyone to be affected.
Why does thunderstorm asthma occur?
While more research is needed to understand exactly why thunderstorm asthma occurs, scientists believe it’s likely to do with the way air flows within a thunderstorm system.
“Thunderstorm asthma is caused by high winds drawing higher levels of pollen and pollution particles into the air,” explains Margaret Kelman, acting head of clinical services at the charity Allergy UK. “When the pollen granules come into contact with water, the pollen breaks down into smaller particles that are released into the air.”
These smaller particles are not only able to travel further – increasing the number of people exposed – but their size allows them to get deeper into the airways and lungs of those who inhale them, making them able to produce a more acute asthma attack.
Thunderstorm asthma is caused by high winds drawing higher levels of pollen and pollution particles into the air
While thunderstorm asthma can arise whenever thunderstorms occur during a period of high pollen or other allergens, some events are much bigger in size and scale.
One of the most famous events recorded occurred in 2016 in Melbourne, Australia, when, within hours of a thunderstorm striking, ambulance call-outs increased by 73% and emergency department presentations increased by 58%. Overall, the number of asthma-related hospital admissions increased by 992%, and 10 people died as a result.
In England, the first recorded episode of thunderstorm asthma happened in Birmingham in July 1983, but there have been several recorded events across the country since.
What are the symptoms of thunderstorm asthma?
The symptoms of thunderstorm asthma are similar to ‘normal’ asthma and can escalate to an asthma attack in extreme cases.
“When people with asthma inhale these smaller particles and allergenic fragments, it can trigger an acute asthma attack,” explains Dr Helen Evans-Howells, a GP who specialises in allergy care.
“The symptoms of thunderstorm asthma can be severe and may include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. In some cases, these symptoms can develop rapidly and require immediate medical attention.”
Those who already suffer with hay fever may also experience a worsening of their pre-existing symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and nasal congestion.
They may also experience more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing and chest tightening.
When and how to seek treatment for thunderstorm asthma
Thunderstorm asthma may have the potential to be serious, but there are treatments available. The most important thing is knowing how and when to seek help.
“It is important to be prepared and take allergy treatments and medications to control symptoms,” Kelman says. “However, in instances where someone doesn’t have anything to help manage symptoms and is experiencing difficulty breathing and tightness in the chest, medical help should be sought without delay.”
Those with asthma should also act according to their asthma action plan, Dr Evans-Howells adds. That might include using a reliever inhaler to reduce symptoms.
How to reduce the risk of thunderstorm asthma
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While thunderstorm asthma is caused by factors outside of our control, there are steps you can take to protect yourself when thunderstorms and high pollen levels combine.
“Any individuals who suffer with a history of asthma or hay fever should be aware of the potential risks during thunderstorms,” Dr Evans-Howells says.
“During thunderstorms, it is advisable to stay indoors with the windows and doors closed and to use air conditioning or air purifiers to help filter the air.
“If individuals have to go out during a thunderstorm, then it may be sensible to wear a face mask to minimise inhalation of pollen particles.”
Images: Getty
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