Is Asthma Becoming More Common With Thunderstorms?

When spring rolls around, be warned about asthma with thunderstorms. But a decade ago, most of us hadn't heard of it.

So where did thunderbolt asthma come from? Is this a brand new phenomenon?

In 2016, the world's highest Catastrophic stormy asthma The incident shocked Melbourne. The increase in warnings and surveillance is partly a response.

But there are also signs that climate change is increasing the likelihood of asthma with thunderstorms, with more extreme weather, increased pollen seasons and increased reporting of hay fever amongst Australians.

A historical disaster.

Many Australians first heard about typhoon asthma in November 2016, when a Important event Rocked Melbourne.

During a late night storm, an estimated 10,000 people Taken to hospitals with severe asthma attacks. With hundreds of calls to emergency lines, ambulances and emergency departments were unprepared to handle the rapid increase in people needing urgent medical care. Tragically, ten of them died.

It was the deadliest tropical cyclone in recorded history and the primary to cause death anywhere on the earth.

In response, the Victorian Department of Health Practical stepsincluding public awareness campaigns and enhancements to health and emergency services, to arrange for future stormy asthma events.

A network of Pollen monitoring stations It was also established to gather data across the state that helps predict future events.

An issue of many years

Although the event was unexpected, it wasn't the primary time we've had a thunderstorm in Australia – we've actually known about it for many years.

Melbourne reported its first case of thunderstorm asthma in 1984, only one yr after the phenomenon. First discovered in Birmingham within the UK.

Cyclone asthma has since been reported in other parts of Australia, including Canberra and New South Wales. But it continues to be most typical in Melbourne. The difference is striking in comparison with some other city (or country): greater than 1 / 4 of all known events worldwide. Happened in Melbourne.

Why Melbourne?

Melbourne's location makes it a hotspot for a lot of these events. Winds from the north of Melbourne are dry and warm because they arrive from the deserts in central Australia, while winds from the south are cooler because they arrive from the ocean.

When warm and cold air mix over Melbourne, it creates the proper conditions for it. thunder To make

Northerly winds also blow loads of pollen from fields into town, especially grass pollen. It just isn't The most common reason Seasonal hay fever in Melbourne slightly a A major trigger of stormy asthma.

Why grass pollen?

Grass pollen is the essential offender behind a specific explanation for asthma in Australia. During a storm, the humidity within the air could be very high. The grass pollen will absorb this moisture, causing it to swell like a water balloon.

If the pollen absorbs an excessive amount of water while within the air, it might burst or “break down“Hundreds of microscopic particles are released into the air that could be blown away by strong winds.

Normally, once you breathe in pollen it gets trapped in your upper airways – for instance, your nose and throat. This is why common hay fever symptoms resembling sneezing or a runny nose are common.

But there are microscopic particles released from cracked grass pollen. too small And don't get stuck within the upper airway as easily. Instead, they’ll travel deeper into your airways until they reach your lungs. It can trigger more severe symptoms, resembling wheezing or difficulty respiration, even in individuals with No previous history of asthma..

So who’s in danger?

You might think that thunderstorms are the most important threat to asthma. In fact, the most important risk factor is hay fever.

until 99% of patients Those who attended the emergency department through the Melbourne 2016 event had hay fever, while the bulk (60%) had no pre-existing diagnosis of asthma.

Every single person The hospitalization had an allergy to a minimum of one form of grass pollen. Everyone had sensitivity. Rye grass.

Is Asthma Becoming More Common With Thunderstorms?

Thunderstorms are rare cases of asthma. 26 events Officially recorded worldwide.

However, there’s evidence that these events may turn out to be more frequent and severe in the approaching years as a consequence of climate change. High temperatures and pollution can occur. Plants produce more pollen. And Pollen seasons last longer..

Severe weather events including thunderstorms are also expected. More common and severe.

In addition, there are rates of symptoms which will increase with hay fever. The variety of Australians reporting allergy symptoms has increased. 15% In 2008 24% In 2022 Similar trends in other countries has been linked to climate change.

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How can I prepare?

Here are 3 ways you possibly can reduce your risk of asthma attacks:

• Stock up on allergy medications and set one up. Asthma Action Plan along with your GP

• Check day by day Pollen forecast For estimated pollen levels in your local area and the chance of an asthma attack during thunderstorms

• On days with high pollen or high risk of asthma with thunderstorms, spend less time outdoors or wear Surgical face mask to cut back your symptoms.