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Smoky Air Causes Problems for Sensitive Groups

BEND, OR -- With smoky conditions blanketing Central Oregon for the last several weeks, asthma specialists are staying busy. Dr. Adam Williams, an allergy and asthma specialist with Bend Memorial Clinic, tells KBND his phone has been ringing off the hook. "We’re getting a lot of calls, especially with asthma [patients] needing inhaler refills who haven’t needed inhalers for a long time, or needing emergent treatment to get them through these attacks they're having because of the smoke."

 

"Every year this happens, we have so much trouble with respiratory issues. People who have lung problems, especially emphysema (also known as COPD) and then of course, asthma, people really struggle. This is probably one of the most difficult irritants that the lungs have to deal with, for people with those conditions," says Dr. Williams. 

 

Central Oregonians may be used to fire season, but it's the prolonged nature of the poor air quality that is really causing problems. "The duration that people have to the exposure that causes their symptoms definitely will increase the inflammation in their lungs and make it a lot harder for them. They may have been ok at first, but the longer it sits around the more likely they are to have problems with it." He suggests those with asthma who aren’t yet having symptoms consider restarting regular medications as a precaution.

 

And, it's not just his patients who are complaining. Dr. Williams says, "Probably over half of people in Central Oregon will tell you their eyes are itchy or nose is runny, or their throat is itchy and scratchy. And, as long as those are the only symptoms you have, it’s a matter of palliating the symptoms with whatever you can and trying to avoid the exposure."

 

And, because the smoke is everywhere, he suggests those suffering with itchy eyes and throats stay indoors, if possible. Oregon's DEQ has issued an Air Quality Alert "until further notice," due to smoky air. 

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