Fiona Doyle and daughter Ciara: an asthma attack can be terrifying
(Picture: Asthma + Lung UK)A mother fears she may be unable to leave home this week to prevent the heatwave triggering a life-threatening asthma attack.
Fiona Doyle, 38, says it can be terrifying for her nine-year-old daughter Ciara to see her in hospital, where she has been taken three times after severe attacks.
With temperatures predicted to hit a record 40C in London on Monday and Tuesday and the capital on red alert, Ms Doyle knows she must do all she can to protect her health so she can look after her child.
An estimated 3.5m Britons with asthma are at risk of having an attack sparked by the heatwave, according to the charity Asthma + Lung UK.
Single mum Ms Doyle, who lives in Finchley and owns a nursery, has been signed off work on several occasions when her symptoms have become difficult to manage.
On one occasion, she was admitted to intensive care with respiratory failure. Another hospitalisation in 2015 happened when the hot weather triggered her asthma – at the time London was under a “Sahara storm” dust cloud.
She fears that when temperatures rise above 35C she will experience a worsening of symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing and coughing that could lead to a potentially fatal asthma attack.
“It’s hard when it’s so hot,” she said. “I have to think about everything I need to go out for – like food shopping or going to and from work and simple activities like taking Ciara to the park or for a playdate as my asthma could flare up within minutes and I could end up in hospital. I know most people love the sun and see it as a bonus having a heatwave but for me it can be a risk.
“I had plans to see friends this weekend at a pub lunch but have had to cancel as I can’t take the chance of going outside and having an asthma attack.”
Her plan is to stay indoors as much as possible and keep her home cool with fans, with the curtains closed.
Her asthma is also triggered by pollen and air pollution - both of which can increase during hot weather.
“Having asthma as a single mum is incredible stressful,” she said. “When I’ve been rushed to hospital with an asthma attack, not only have I been fighting for my life, but I’ve been fraught with worry about who will look after my daughter and how she’ll cope if I don’t survive.
“It scares Ciara when I have an asthma attack or she sees me in hospital wearing an oxygen mask and fighting for breath, and asthma has robbed me of precious time with her. Summer is the worst time for my condition because pollen levels tend to be higher and hot weather can also increase air pollution, so my risk of having an asthma attack is higher than normal.”
Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma UK and a GP, said there were two likely reasons for high temperatures triggering asthma attacks.
He said: “Firstly, breathing in hot air can cause the airways to narrow, leading to asthma symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath, and secondly, when it’s hot there are often higher levels of pollutants which can irritate the airways.
“We would advise people to take their asthma medicines as prescribed - using their preventer inhalers regularly to build up protection in the airways over time - and always carry their reliever inhalers with them.
“It’s also important that they stay out of the heat as much as possible, stay well hydrated and make sure they have an annual asthma review with their GP or asthma nurse. If they are triggered by pollen too, speaking to a pharmacist, GP, or asthma nurse about taking antihistamines and using steroid nasal sprays is also advisable.”
