{"id":24470,"date":"2023-09-13T10:21:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T17:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/?p=24470"},"modified":"2023-11-21T16:23:30","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T00:23:30","slug":"protect-your-lungs-from-wildfire-smoke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/protect-your-lungs-from-wildfire-smoke\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect Your Lungs From Wildfire Smoke"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"article\">\n\t<header class=\"header\">\n\t\t<span class=\"type\"><\/span>\t\t<h1>Protect Your Lungs From Wildfire Smoke<\/h1>\t\t<time>September 13, 2023<\/time>\n\t<\/header>\n\t<div id=\"block_e3cf0795c9b87bc88329f919de482ba8\" class=\"shs-block block-news-article entry-content\">\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<p>In 2022, Oregon had a total of 2,011 large wildfires that burned at least 456,000 acres. While the number of fires increases or decreases each year, experts predict that wildfires and smoke will continue to affect our forests and communities for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The effects of long-term exposure to wildfire smoke are not yet known. However, researchers do know that the smoke contains tiny pieces of burnt plant material and chemicals that can be harmful to health. The most dangerous particles contained within smoke are those that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-particles-in-smoke-matter\">Particles in Smoke Matter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s an important reason why particle size matters, noted Vanessa Mizak, FNP, of <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/find-a-location\/samaritan-medical-group-pulmonology-corvallis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Samaritan Medical Group Pulmonology \u2013 Corvallis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur bodies have defenses, like nose hairs, that prevent particles larger than 2.5 micrometers from entering our lungs when we breathe, but smaller particles can slip through those defenses and end up settling in our lungs or the bloodstream,\u201d Mizak explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How small is 2.5 micrometers? One strand of average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter, making one hair 30 times larger than the largest fine particle. Most of these dangerous particles cannot even be seen by the human eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese particles can affect the body in a variety of ways, such as respiratory irritation and shortness of breath, or it can worsen conditions like asthma, COPD and heart disease,\u201d Mizak said. \u201cAs much as possible, limit your exposure to wildfire smoke.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-health-effects-of-wildfire-smoke\">Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Immediate health effects of inhaling wildfire smoke can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Coughing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trouble breathing normally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stinging eyes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scratchy throat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Irritated sinuses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wheezing and shortness of breath.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chest pain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Headaches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Asthma attack.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rapid heartbeat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fatigue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople who have preexisting lung or heart issues can be especially vulnerable to inhaling smoke, as are older adults, pregnant people and young children,\u201d Mizak noted. \u201cProlonged exposure can worsen lung and heart conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-know-your-local-air-quality\">Know Your Local Air Quality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The quality of the air we breathe isn\u2019t something that most of us ever think about, until we notice a change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cParticularly when wildfire smoke is in the air, it\u2019s important to know what the air quality index is for your area. The numbers will indicate whether you need to minimize your time outside,\u201d explained Mizak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.airnow.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Air Quality Index<\/a> for your area code and know what the numbers mean. The weather app on your cell phone, or your local news source may also tell you what the local index is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the AQI is between 101 and 150, the outdoor air is unhealthy to breathe for people in sensitive groups. When the index is over 151, the outdoor air is unhealthy for everyone, regardless of individual health, and it is best to stay indoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-protect-yourself-from-smoke\">Protect Yourself From Smoke<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minimize outdoor activities. If you notice that your breathing feels different, stop what you\u2019re doing and go inside. If you need to exercise, do it indoors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When indoors, keep windows and doors shut unless it is too hot to do so. Use fans, and if you have air conditioning, set it to recirculate and keep the fresh air intake closed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use an air purifier inside. Especially for sensitive groups with preexisting conditions, use a freestanding indoor air purifier system that filters out particles from the indoor air you breathe. The Environmental Protection Agency has some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/indoor-air-quality-iaq\/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">useful tips<\/a> on what to look for in air-cleaning units and filters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid adding pollution to indoor air. Do not use scented candles or other products. Avoid smoking inside. Do not use a fireplace or wood- or pellet-burning stove. Avoid using your vacuum as it stirs up dust particles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mask up, if needed. An N95 mask will offer some protection from small particles in the air. But a household dust mask will not prevent smoke from getting into your lungs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-follow-medical-advice\">Follow Medical Advice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pay attention to how your body feels and if your breathing feels different to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you already have a lung condition or heart disease, follow your doctor\u2019s recommendations in regard to your medications and respiratory management plan. If your conditions worsen, call your doctor\u2019s office for additional advice,\u201d said Mizak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/patients-visitors\/find-a-doctor\/mizak-vanessa-1669860979\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vanessa Mizak, FNP<\/a>, sees patients at Samaritan Medical Group Pulmonology \u2013 Corvallis. To contact her, call <a class=\"phone-link\" href=\"tel:541-768-1261\">541-768-1261<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<aside>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/wildfire-smoke-CO.jpg\" class=\"attachment-cta size-cta wp-post-image\" alt=\"A hazy, smoky image with the sun rising over a forest.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/wildfire-smoke-CO.jpg 360w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/wildfire-smoke-CO-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/wildfire-smoke-CO-120x100.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t<\/aside>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn more about the effect of wildfire smoke on the respiratory system and how you can protect yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":25697,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_shs_workflow_notes":"","_shs_exclude_from_navigation":false,"_shs_promote_article_on_blogs":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"news-topics":[293],"news-types":[270],"services":[260],"specialty":[85],"class_list":["post-24470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","news-topics-wellness","news-types-feature-article","services-pulmonary-care-rehabilitation","specialty-pulmonology"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24470"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24470\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24470"},{"taxonomy":"news-topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-topics?post=24470"},{"taxonomy":"news-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-types?post=24470"},{"taxonomy":"services","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/services?post=24470"},{"taxonomy":"specialty","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specialty?post=24470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}