The bushfires that are sweeping across swathes of Australia have made global headlines due to the high level of devastation. The fires have blanketed large parts of the continent with smoke and caused wanton pollution. Smoke from the bushfire poses several health risks to humans and wildlife. According to Australia’s ABC Health & Wellbeing, bushfire smoke is mostly made up of small particles, water vapor and gases, which include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide (CO) and CO2.
Chemicals constituting charred steel and melted tires may also find way in the smoke. The small particles can travel into the lungs and cause irritations. The people at high risk of suffering health complications as a result of smoke inhalation include small children, pregnant women, older people and individual with lung problems. Old people are at high risk because they are prone to suffer heart and lung diseases, including ischemic heart disease, asthma, heart pain and heart failure.
For pregnant women, smoke inhalation can cause health problems to the expectant mother and the developing fetus. Common lung and related problems arising from smoke include chronic bronchitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When exposed to smoke, people with asthma often experience symptoms such as chest tightness, wheezing and problematic breathing. All these symptoms are likely to subside if exposure to smoke is eliminated.
According to the Washington Post, bushfires that permeates the air for weeks as in the case of Australia can enter the eyes, mind and skin via the pores. When the smoke spreads into the person’s mind, it can negatively impact mental health. In Sydney, health officials working in New South Wales have noticed an increase in the number of people attending emergency rooms in the first week of January 2020 due to asthma, respiratory issues and other health problems.
There has also been a noticeable increase in people calling the ambulance for respiratory issues. Authorities say the number of people admitted to hospitals during the period under review had surpassed the 5 year average hospital attendance. The WaPo report shows the Australian bushfires have so far caused 25 deaths; destroyed 2000 homes and burnt over 13 million acres of land. Satellite images show the smoke has spread as far as South America.
Asthma and allergy treatment
Asthma and allergy are often interlinked due to shared triggers and symptoms. The Ohio based Premier Allergy and Asthma believes asthma and allergy should not prevent you from living your life to the optimum. Premier Allergy offers cutting-edge cures specially tailored for the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering allergies. Some of the benefits of choosing Premier Asthma include:
• 10 convenient locations, including Dublin, OH
• Commercial insurance plan acceptance
• Needle free allergy testing
• Food allergy testing
• Extensive allergy and asthma treatment options
The experienced team of allergists working at the center is led by Dr. Summit Shah who is the Managing Principal. You can get in touch with the allergy experts by calling 740-304-0151 or send an email to the support teams. The treatment center is affiliated to several area health institutions, including Ohio Health, Mount Carmel Hospital and Nationwide Children’s center