An increase in patients presenting with asthma symptoms is expected over the coming days as heavy rain and thunderstorms hit the East of England.
Around 1,400 people attended accident and emergency units in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes last weekend, many of them due to the hot, humid weather and high pollen counts.
Recent scientific data shows that asthma and hay fever symptoms can be triggered by what clinicians are calling ‘Thunderstorm Asthma’. While many people will experience symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes, some people may experience a worsening of asthma symptoms, chest pain and difficulty in breathing.
Patients should be encouraged to take their allergy treatments and medications to control their symptoms, and encouraged to get their prescriptions of salbutamol where appropriate.
