Be prepared before thunderstorm asthma season hits in November
AS THUNDERSTORM asthma season approaches experts are warning people to be prepared for the potentially deadly phenomenon, which could strike anyone. Here’s what you need to know.
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EXPERTS are warning people to be prepared as thunderstorm asthma season approaches, and you don’t need to have asthma to be affected.
Half of the 3000-plus victims who presented at Melbourne emergency departments during the November 2016 incident had never had asthma.
Epworth and Austin Health respiratory doctor Michael Sutherland advised people to look out for wheezing, chest tightness, coughing and shortness of breath.
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“If you have reliever medication (asthma puffer) you should take it,” Dr Sutherland said.
“It is safe to use someone else’s reliever puffer in an emergency if you don’t have one.”
He said people should stay indoors, where possible, during spring thunderstorms, particularly when the cool change hits.
People with asthma or hayfever should see their GP for medication to prevent and treat any potential attacks.
The thunderstorm asthma phenomenon is caused by rain pressure breaking down pollen into smaller grains and wind gusts sweeping the particles down to ground level where they are easily inhaled.
These particles are small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs and can trigger asthma symptoms.
While the phenomenon has happened several times in Melbourne, the 2016 event drew widespread attention after 10 people lost their lives, 476 were admitted to hospital over two days and thousands flocked to emergency rooms.
Dr Sutherland said hospitals were now better prepared to deal with such events.
Asthma Australia chief executive Michele Goldman urged people to be aware of asthma symptoms.
“The 2016 event was unprecedented and we hope that nothing like that will ever happen again,” she said.
WHAT IS THUNDERSTORM ASTHMA?
It is the phenomenon of rye grass pollen being swept up into springtime thunderstorms and ruptured by the osmotic pressure of the rain into smaller pollen grains.
Cold thunderstorm outflow winds then push the particles down to ground level where they can be inhaled deeply into the lings and trigger asthma epidemics.
WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?
Wheezing, chest tightness, coughing and shortness of breath. Take particular care if you have asthma or are prone to hayfever.
HOW CAN I PREVENT IT?
■ If you’ve ever had asthma — talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect yourself from the risk of thunderstorm asthma this pollen season. Remember taking an asthma preventer properly and regularly is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma.
■ If you have hayfever — see your pharmacist or doctor for a hayfever treatment plan and check if you should have an asthma reliever puffer, available from a pharmacies without a prescription.
■ Where possible, avoid being outside during thunderstorms through November and December — especially during the wind gusts that come before the storm. Close your doors and windows. If you have your airconditioning on, turn it onto recirculate.
■ If you need to go to hospital during one of these events try to go by private transport rather than wait for an ambulance, as the service is sure to experience unprecedented demand similar to 2016.
USEFUL APPS AND WEBSITES
Melbourne Pollen — website and smartphone app with daily pollen counts and warnings
Deakin AIRWATCH — daily pollen count
Asthma Australia — Asthma first aid instructions
VicEmergency App — State Government iPhone and Android app, which issues thunderstorm asthma warnings
National Asthma Council Australia — for information about asthma and national pollen forecasts
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