When the pollen count climbs, people with asthma are at risk of fatal attacks, with high levels expected this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More than three million individuals in the UK have lung disorders including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are at risk of attacks or flare-ups, according to Asthma and Lung UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From Friday, high pollen levels are expected in much of England and Wales, with medium levels in other parts of the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms such as a runny nose and itchy eyes are common in those who suffer from hay fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, more than half of asthmatics (59%) report pollen can cause symptoms including tightness in the chest, wheezing, and shortness of breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the charity’s research, a quarter of persons with COPD feel the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allergies can cause airways to constrict and sticky mucus to build up, making breathing difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asthma episodes can be fatal; in the United Kingdom, four people die from it every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“When pollen levels are at their peak, this can be devastating for patients with lung disorders like asthma who can suffer serious symptoms and have life-threatening attacks,” said Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead for Asthma and Lung UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People may struggle to breathe as a result of these attacks, which can be dangerous.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When the pollen count climbs, people with asthma are at risk of fatal attacks, with<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":16392,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[910],"class_list":["post-16385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","tag-pollen"],"yoast_head":"\n