The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology30 Jul

#168 - Wildfire Smoke and Your Lungs, What You Need to Know

Wildfire smoke used to feel like someone else's problem. Now it can show up on air quality alerts hundreds of miles from any actual fire, and for anyone with asthma, that hazy sky can mean real trouble breathing.

In this episode, Kortney and Dr. Gupta are joined by Dr. Neelu Tummala, an ENT physician and climate health expert, to talk about why wildfires are getting more frequent and intense, what is actually in wildfire smoke, and the everyday steps that can protect your lungs, your family, and even your pets.

What we cover in this episode about wildfire smoke and asthma

Why wildfires are intensifying. Warmer, drier conditions have extended the wildfire season by about a month compared with 35 years ago.
What's actually in the smoke. PM2.5 particles make up most of wildfire smoke's mass and are small enough to slip past your body's natural filters.
How it affects your body. Smoke can irritate the nose, throat, and ears before it ever reaches your lungs, and it can also affect heart and brain health.
Who's most at risk. Babies, kids, older adults, pregnant women, and anyone with asthma, COPD, or heart disease need extra caution.
How to protect yourself. Check the AQI, wear a well-fitted N95, run air purifiers, and keep pets indoors during smoky days.

More resources

How Wildfire Smoke Can Worsen Your Asthma
How Climate Change Impacts Allergies and Asthma
Find out about your local air quality: Asthma and Allergy Forecast
American Lung Association: State of the Air report, PDF version
Wildfires and asthma from the American Lung Association
NYC Resources: Cooling options and Cooling centers

This podcast is made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network

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