Johns Hopkins Health Alert
True or False: Thunderstorms Trigger Asthma Attacks
For some asthma patients, the answer is “True.” Scientists in Atlanta report a surprising asthma trigger -- thunderstorms. They found that thunderstorms are associated with a 3% increase in emergency room visits for asthma.
The most likely explanations for the association are that pollen grains rupture in rainwater, releasing allergens, and that winds from thunderstorm downdrafts spread allergens, which may lead to an increased risk of asthma attacks.
The researchers used an emergency department (ED) visit database containing information on more than 10 million ED visits from 41 of 42 hospitals in Atlanta between 1993 and 2004. They looked at people who visited the ED for asthma and compared the zip codes in which they lived with rain and wind data for those areas. Of 215,832 asthma visits, 24,350 occurred on days following thunderstorms. Visits to the ED for asthma were highest when wind gusts were intermediate and high.
While a 3% increase in risk may seem modest, the researchers note, asthma is quite prevalent in Atlanta, and even a modest increase could have a significant public health impact. If you have asthma, pay attention to your breathing symptoms the next time there's a thunderstorm.
If you find that they trigger your asthma, you may want to stay inside during and after thunderstorms whenever possible.
Reported in THORAX (Volume 63, page 659).
Posted in Lung Disorders on October 8, 2009
Reviewed January 2011
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
Notify Me
Would you like us to inform you when we post new Lung Disorders Health Alerts?
Comments
Health Alerts registered users may post comments and share experiences here at their own discretion. We regret that questions on individual health concerns to the Johns Hopkins editors cannot be answered in this space.
The views expressed here do not constitute medical advice, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or Remedy Health Media, LLC, which has no responsibility for any comments posted on this site.
Does the wind/rainstorm/lightning have anything to do with an increase in pulmonary hypertension? If so, other than staying indoors, what can be done? Thanks! H
Posted by: hartman | October 10, 2009 8:12 PM
Post a Comment
Already a subscriber?
Login
New to Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
An interesting study but it missed a major precursor to Asthma attacks and COPD exacerbation. Thunderstorms, that are frequented by high winds, also produce an abundance of Ozone. That is why the air smells so fresh after a storm.
Posted by: dntrerice | October 8, 2009 4:02 PM