loader image
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
81.1 F
McAllen
- Advertisement -

Air Quality Alert: Impact on Asthma and Allergies

Translate to Spanish or other 102 languages!

Image for Illustration purposes

Mega Doctor News

- Advertisement -

Cleveland Clinic – We’ve all heard an ‘Air Quality Alert’ mentioned during a weather forecast.

But what does it mean and how might it impact your health?

Sumita Khatri, MD, a respiratory specialist with Cleveland Clinic, said even people who are generally healthy may want to avoid being outdoors when air quality is poor, but certain groups should take extra care.

- Advertisement -

“There are other people who are more sensitive and these are people with chronic lung and heart problems, elderly adults and children are often more susceptible,” she explained.

An Air Quality Alert is issued when air pollution is high, so we can adjust our activities and avoid certain things – like being outdoors during the hottest part of the day.

When heat and sunlight mix with exhaust from vehicles and industry, ozone levels rise. Ozone is one of five pollutants considered when calculating air quality.

High ozone can aggravate asthma, leading to coughing, wheezing or chest tightness. Dr. Khatri said allergy suffers are impacted by ozone as well.

- Advertisement -

“For people exposed to ozone, there’s a bit of a lag effect,” she said. “So, you may not realize in the moment that you’re in a high ozone time period. But then, the next day or the following day you can have actually heightened affects to allergies. The ozone primes you to being more allergic if you’re already allergic.”

Dr. Khatri recommends people with asthma pay special attention to air quality and always carry their inhaler when an alert is issued.

In addition, she advises avoiding exercise in high traffic areas and during midday heat, when air pollution is high.

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

More Articles

Edinburg Police Arrest Suspect Following Threat to South Texas Behavioral Center

Mega Doctor News EDINBURG, Texas – This morning, Edinburg Police patrol units took...

Governor Signs Rural Health Sustainability Legislation 

Mega Doctor News AUSTIN — Governor Abbott delivered remarks at the Texas...

STHS GME Consortium Receives Official Accreditation for General Residency Program

Mega Doctor News There’s a considerable and growing shortage of surgeons in the United...

Anti-Tobacco & Vaping Program Now Online at No Cost to Young Texans  

Mega Doctor News The Texas Department of State Health Services launched a...
- Advertisement -
×