Health officials are warning about the impact of air quality on your health. Our team spoke with officials at Deaconess Illinois Clinic Express.
MARION, Ill. (WSIL)-- Health officials are warning about the impact of air quality on your health.
Our team spoke with officials at Deaconess Illinois Clinic Express. Sabrina Stevens is a nurse practitioner with the clinic.
She says changes in air quality can cause eye irritation and impact the way people breathe.
“It can cause COPD exacerbations or asthma to be exacerbated. It can cause lung capacity to be decreased, which can cause chest tightness as well,� Stevens said.
She advises that if people experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest congestion, or chest tightness, they should call 911 and seek emergency medical attention.
“That air quality can affect your lung capacity, and if it does cause that, it can cause you to rapidly decline quickly by causing exacerbation, where you can't breathe, or shortness of breath. Using your inhalers is essential and important,� Stevens said.
She says when the air quality is poor, it's best to stay inside at places with good air filtration.
“Keep your doors and your windows closed and stay inside as much as you can,� Stevens said.
