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Breathing fire smoke can be unhealthy for those with asthma, other problems When the air gets full of smoke from the record wildfires in south Georgia, the Wilkes County Health Department and the Georgia Division of Public Health are asking residents to take necessary precautions to avoid health problems related to the smoky conditions. Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. "It's not a good idea to be outside exercising and breathing in that smoke," said Jennifer Jackson, RN, Wilkes Health Department director. "Take common-sense precautions if you've got asthma or any kind of compromised lung condition." If you have heart or lung disease, such as congestive heart failure, angina, COPD, emphysema, or asthma, you are at higher risk of having health problems than healthy people. Older adults are more likely to be affected by smoke, possibly because they are more likely to have heart or lung diseases. Children are more likely to be affected by health threats from smoke because their airways are still developing and because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. Children also are more likely to be active outdoors. To protect yourself, health authorities say, stay inside with windows and doors shut. Use the recycle or re-circulate mode on the air conditioner in your home or car. If you don't have an air conditioner and it's too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, seek shelter elsewhere. Avoid cooking and vacuuming, which can increase pollutants indoors. Avoid physical exertion. Asthmatics should follow their asthma management plan. Keep at least a five-day supply of medication on hand. Experts say to contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue.
This is important not only for people with chronic lung or heart disease, but also for individuals who have not been previously diagnosed with such illnesses. Smoke can "unmask" or produce symptoms of such diseases.
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