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Poor Air Quality
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Poor Air Quality
As you all know fires burning throughout Northern and Central California continue to blow smoke into the Sacramento region. We all can experience some kind of symptoms such as watery eyes, coughing, or wheezing related to the poor air quality. Poor air quality can cause respiratory breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. People most susceptible to severe health problems from air pollution due to smoke are: Children under age 10, pregnant women, elderly, and people with underlying heart or lung disease. Patients with allergies and asthma fall into the high risk category. Particulate Matter is the substance emitted from the fires currently burning. The size of the particle is directly linked to symptoms. The smaller the particle size the worse for the patient, and currently the particle size is small. Symptoms to watch are mentioned above and include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, sneezing, nasal congestion etc. It is important to know that short term exposure (days) can increase risk for asthma attacks and respiratory infections. Our recommendations are to decrease exposure as much as possible by staying indoors, run air conditioning, monitor symptoms in high risk patients, and check your local air quality index (AQI) to know when it is safer to resume regular activity.
By Mark Grijnsztein, M.D.; Sutter Medical Group Allergist
4 comments from 4 users
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posted by
anonymous
on Jun 27, 2008 at 10:34 AM
My 2 1/2 old daughter is showing signs of a cold, but doesn't have a fever and the runny nose is clear. Do you think this is most likely caused by the smoke? We do not spend time outdoors, so do you think just going from the car into the store, gym, etc., is causing this reaction? Do you recommend us to stay inside and not leave the house, the whole time, if they are having symptoms? I certainly don't want to cause her any long term health problems because of leaving the house. Thank you!
posted by
SutterHealth
on Jun 26, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Working Outside Unfortunately, the best protection is avoidance. I would recommend wearing a protective filter over the nose and mouth while outdoors for extended periods of time. If your husband falls into a high risk group category, they should seek medical attention if the symptoms persist or worsen. Nagging Cough This question is slightly more difficult to answer without knowing the true root of the cough. If she is using clarinex without relief, you may want to try a different OTC medication at the recommendation of your Doctor. What we do know is your child is a high risk patient and should be treated as such, if symptoms worsen. posted by
Mammalicious
on Jun 26, 2008 at 11:36 AM
My daughter already had a few cold/allergy symptoms...we've been giving her some leftover Clarinex (Claratin for babies) to help...she has a nagging, non-wheezing cough that bothers her at night though. Any suggestions?
posted by
anonymous
on Jun 25, 2008 at 04:46 PM
What about the men and women who work out in the air? My husband came home so sick last night with all kinds of symtoms. They really don't have a choice. Do you have any suggestions then just useing a light mask to filter the air going in his nose.
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