How to avoid an asthma attack as charity warns patients to be ‘very cautious’ this summer

People in England are being urged to be “very cautious” if they have lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as pollen levels continue to rise throughout the week, with “very high” peaks expected in the most much of the country. The capital and the southeast may experience extreme pollen levels.

Asthma + Lung UK issued the warning earlier this week, encouraging people to take precautions to protect their health during the summer months. Erika Radford, head of the charity, noted that pollen levels can be “very problematic for people with lung conditions”.

She continued: “It can make the symptoms of someone’s lung condition much worse or lead to a life-threatening asthma attack or COPD. When pollen particles are inhaled, they can cause inflammation in the airways and reach the lungs, making it difficult for those with lung conditions to breathe.”

Apart from the physical effects of such attacks, Erika also highlighted the mental stress it creates, as the “terrifying” moments leave sufferers panicking. However, there are a number of steps people can take to keep attacks at bay.

Erika advised: “Using your preventer inhaler daily as prescribed is very important as the medicine reduces swelling and inflammation in the airways. This means you’re less likely to react badly to a trigger like pollen.”

Other methods include keeping doors and windows closed to keep pollen out, taking antihistamine medication, and keeping a reliever inhaler handy in case of trouble breathing. The steady increase in pollen levels in the run-up to summer has already taken effect as the charity reported 397 calls in April relating to pollen and hay fever, compared to 407 calls in May.

Pollen counts increase each year between March and September during the warm, windy and humid months. A survey by the charity found that 47% of asthma patients and 27% of people with COPD said that pollen triggers their conditions.