Dealing with respiratory symptoms from smoke

Smoke and fire can cause a lot of respiratory symptoms for those not only with underlying lung disease such as asthma and emphysema, but also for the rest of us. There are a few things you can do to help control the symptoms and prepare yourself.

First, stay indoors as much as possible. Second, keep all your windows closed. If you have dust and soot in the home, use a damp cloth to clean off the furniture. If you have asthma, make sure you have your albuterol inhaler available for easy access. If you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis, make sure you have adequate supply of medications, if not, contact your physician’s office. Wearing a moist bandana or respirator mask can also be protective from inhalation of particulate matter ,especially if you must be outdoors. If you run into respiratory difficulty, contact your physician’s office immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

Since there is likely to be a lot of dust and soot for the next few months, investing in a HEPA air filter may be a good idea for those who are sensitive smoke. Make sure a quality brand like Austin Air, Honeywell or Blue Air are used as there can be significant differences in HEPA filter quality. Visiting a local home improvement store or searching online is a great place to start. For more information on lung health, visit the California chapter of the American Lung Association: http://www.californialung.org

Dr. Eric Madrid is a board certified family physician who practices at Rancho Family Medical Group in Temecula, http://www.ranchofamilymed.com