Asthma triggers have mostly focused on pollen allergies and the causes of air pollution. Unfortunately, geographic location is often not seen as a way to survive and keep asthma at bay.

Arguably, having an allergic disease or having a parent with asthma are two of the most common genetic risk factors for asthma. For example, exposure to extreme weather changes, chemical irritants, smoke, and industrial dust can trigger asthma. Additionally, in some cases, exercise, stress, or cold air can trigger the development of asthma symptoms.

Asthma causes inflammation and swelling of the airways. As a result, the airways leading from the nose and mouth to the lungs constrict.

The American Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AFFA) has outlined the worst cities for asthma sufferers in a report known as Asthma Capitals. These are the mainland US cities where asthma is most difficult to manage. AFFA ranked the top 100 US cities based on population with the highest asthma prevalence, emergency room visits, and mortality.

According to AFFA, 25 million people in the United States have asthma, 20 million of whom are over the age of 18. That’s roughly 1 he is her in 13, taking an average of 11 lives each day.

These grim statistics make asthma one of the most common and costly diseases in the United States. Air quality, access to specialized health care, poverty, pollen counts, drug use, tobacco restrictions, and the proportion of uninsured citizens are the factors the report considers to contribute to these results. is one of the risk variables

However, these are not the only causes of asthma symptoms a person may experience. depends on

The eastern part of the country, which includes parts of the Midwest from Cleveland and Allentown to Poughkeepsie and St. Louis, is disproportionately burdened with asthma, as the top 20 cities on the list show.

asthma peak week

Asthma hospitalizations increase each September, and doctors see more patients who have had or have had an asthma attack. The third week of the month is usually the worst week for asthma and allergy sufferers, so it’s called “asthma peak week.” Fall also marks the beginning of the domestic flu season.

In the United States, ragweed is a classic fall pollen allergy, peaking in September. Grows in all states except Alaska. Other weeds that cause allergic reactions include ragweed, lamb quarters, burning his bush, mugwort, and cocklebur.

Among other things, the AFAA recommends getting allergy treatment and observing forecasts before pollen season. Additionally, reduce contact with outdoor pets and protect your eyes and hair outdoors.

School kids are exposed to asthma triggers and respiratory infections when they return to school. They can irritate the respiratory tract and cause allergies.

Outdoor mold develops on decaying plants, while indoor mold develops when humidity levels increase and ventilation decreases. This is common in the fall and winter, but can be a problem year-round depending on the climate.

Air quality in September can be affected by extreme weather events and climate change-related disasters. For example, heat waves, wildfires, severe thunderstorms, and hurricanes can occur in some parts of the country at this time of year. Asthma is therefore more difficult to control due to increased exposure to airborne allergens and particles.

Worst Cities for Asthmatics in Arizona

The Arizonian cities of Tucson and Phoenix were rated average and worse than average in the overall national rankings by AFFA. Tucson was 27th with a combined score of 74.22%, while the capital Phoenix was 34th (70.35%).

In the regional rankings, Tucson and Phoenix finished third and fourth in the West. Fresno, Calif. and Spokane were only ahead of Washington.

Tucson received an average rating for asthma prevalence. Phoenix on average he was rated in two subcategories. Crude fatality rate and ED consultation for asthma.

The Southwest is a region prone to droughts and heatwaves, projected to be exacerbated by climate change, and has many of the warmest states in the country. A 2018 report released by Climate Central revealed that only her two states, Alaska and New Mexico, are warming faster than Arizona.

Arizona shares the Four Corners region and is bordered by Utah to the north, Colorado to the northeast, and New Mexico to the east. The southwestern state is bordered by California to the west, Nevada to the northwest, and the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California to the south and southwest.

Tucson

The city was a haven for people suffering from respiratory problems. Many families migrated here during his 1960s to 1980s seeking safety in what is considered one of the best neighborhoods in the country for asthma sufferers. But in her second-largest city in Grand Canyon State, that’s no longer the case. Tucson is her second after Phoenix, with 542,629 residents as of the 2020 Census.

As cities became more industrialized and their populations increased, emissions from power plants and exhaust pipes increased. Additionally, the newly constructed brick and concrete added warmth to the city, amplifying the effects of climate change.

Researchers at Climate Central examined weather data for 246 cities in the United States. They found that temperatures in Tucson have risen faster than many other American cities since his 1970s, with an average of 4.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Of the 246 US cities surveyed, 244 (99%) have warmed since 1970. 170 or 69% of them had a warming of at least 2°F.

Tucson is located 97 km north of the US-Mexico border and 174 km southeast of Phoenix. It is the county seat of Pima County and hosts the University of Arizona. The city has been nicknamed Old Pueblo after the Tucson Sunshine Climate Club used the nickname in advertisements to reflect the city’s unique Spanish-Indian background.

Tucson and Phoenix are two pillars of the Arizona Solar Corridor, the mega-metropolis of southern Arizona and one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas. In 2017, the city was the first in the United States to be designated a UNESCO Culinary City.

phoenix

Multiple reports list Phoenix as one of the worst cities for allergy sufferers and asthma sufferers. The reason for this is not an exaggeration. According to the American Lung Association’s 2020 Air Quality Report, Phoenix is ​​one of the worst cities in the nation for ozone and particulate pollution, deadly air pollutants.

Unhealthy ozone and particulate pollution are having a major negative impact on Arizona’s two largest cities, Phoenix and Tucson. Ozone is a common air pollutant that contributes to haze and smog. It can irritate the lungs and airways and cause asthma flare-ups.

Airborne particles such as smoke, dust, and haze can enter your lungs through your mouth and nose. Diesel exhaust, wildfires, and coal power plants all cause particulate pollution. The risk of inhaling these particles is higher for asthma sufferers who may be coping with worsening symptoms.

The Phoenix metropolitan area ranks in the top 10 in each of these categories. Maricopa, Pinal, and Gila counties, which are part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, experienced high ozone days and all received an F rating in the American Lung Association’s 2022 Air Quality Report. Yuma and Flagstaff were the only metropolitan areas with modest improvements in ozone levels.

There is a link between air quality and health. Therefore, people should have up-to-date and reliable information about the air quality around them. For example, the Phoenix metropolitan area has poor air quality in the Climate Central report.

A common perception of Arizona is that it is a sanctuary for allergy sufferers, a dry and barren desert atmosphere that can cure any ailment. The expansion and success of Phoenix, now a metropolis, has exacerbated the problem of allergy-prone people. It is also one of the states with

The range of plants that can induce allergic reactions has increased thanks to immigrants who brought in exotic plants, mainly due to exotic mulberry and olive trees.

Increased use of irrigation has extended the growing season to 10 months. This is a concern for people with grass and pollen allergies.

Many allergy sufferers live in cities that were previously considered allergy-safe. Additionally, people have historically migrated to Phoenix to escape the discomforts of allergies, making a higher percentage of the population susceptible to allergies.

Phoenix is ​​the most populous state capital in the United States and the only state capital with a population of over one million. Also in the United States she is the fifth most populous city and the largest city in Arizona with 1,608,139 inhabitants.

asthma management

Experts suggest that the best strategy for minimizing symptoms in people with asthma is to develop an asthma management plan. Together with your doctor, you can create an asthma management plan that will help you manage your asthma instead of letting it rule your life.

The next best step is to identify your triggers and learn how to prevent them. You can also consult with

Understand and follow your asthma management plan so you know what to do if an attack or allergic reaction occurs. It can also help monitor asthma and identify early symptoms of a potential episode. For example, the Peak Flow Meter is an easy-to-use, portable device that identifies airway narrowing hours or even days before symptoms appear. help you to

Are you using your inhaler at its best? Do you even know what the most appropriate approach is? This is just a reminder to ask your doctor for a technical check.

Metered dose inhalers, commonly known as inhalers, puffers, MDIs, or dry powder inhalers (DPIs), are commonly used to administer asthma medications. For an inhaler to work properly, it must be used correctly, and many asthma sufferers often get it wrong. please give me. This accessory attaches to the inhaler to improve ease of use and help deliver more medication to the lungs.

Using a retention chamber or spacer has benefits for everyone, but especially for children. Another option is a “breath-actuated” inhaler that releases the drug upon inhalation.

The benefits of managing asthma outweigh the drawbacks. Follow your doctor’s advice and choose medications with fewer side effects.

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