Long, dry, smoky Sask. summer leaves people with asthma, allergies suffering
People who suffer from allergies, asthma or both are paying the price for a long, dry and sometimes smoky summer.
This week, Environment Canada issued special air-quality statements covering parts of southwest and central Saskatchewan due to smoke drifting north from forest fires in the U.S. The smoke can irritate your eyes and throat, and possibly cause shortness of breath.
“It affects people with asthma a little bit more and they can certainly have a worsening of their condition which means they may have more shortness of breath, cough, wheeze and coughing up more mucus because their lungs are reacting to the smoke in the air,” explained Marion Laroque, a respiratory therapist with the Saskatchewan Lung Association.
Laroque says people with asthma should check to make sure their medications are up to date, and make a plan with their doctors in case their symptoms get worse.