Doctors: Increase in breathing problems due to air quality, heat

<p>Doctors say they've been seeing a spike in patients with breathing problems following the high temperatures of the past few days.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 3, 2018, 6:53 PM

Updated 2,130 days ago

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Doctors say they've been seeing a spike in patients with breathing problems following the high temperatures of the past few days.
The high humidity helps more allergens make it into the air, experts say. And people who are elderly -- especially smokers or people with asthma -- are most at risk.
It's important to stay hydrated if you need to be outside, doctors say. 
If you're having a hard time performing normal activities, take a break, says Dr. Sanjeev Rao of the Fairfield Urgent Center.
"You're struggling to do the work that you're used to doing," he says. "You have to take extra breaks."
For those who feel that the heat has not affected them, Dr. Rao says it's important to still take precaution before heading out.
“Make sure they are well-dressed, they have the water with them, if they have risks of having an asthma attack, they have their inhalers with them. So they don't have a crisis while they're outside,” says Dr. Rao.
It's also important to stay hydrated with plenty of water and try to stay in the shade when possible.


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