People with asthma and other lung conditions should take extra care at The Twelfth celebrations this weekend to avoid life threatening asthma attacks and flare-ups, according to a leading respiratory charity.
Every year, huge bonfires are lit in areas across Northern Ireland on the Eleventh Night to usher in the main date in the parading calendar - the Twelfth of July.
But around 186,000 people in Northern Ireland with lung conditions such as asthma or COPD could find smoke from bonfires triggers their symptoms, say Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland.
Read more: The reason bonfires are lit on the Eleventh Night in NI
The particles of smoke can irritate the airways, causing them to become inflamed and tighten. This results in coughing and wheezing and makes it very difficult for people to breathe.
People with asthma should stand well back from bonfires and make sure they have their reliever inhaler (usually blue) with them to relieve symptoms if they get them.
Joseph Carter Head of Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland said: “While many people will be looking forward to the Twelfth celebrations and watching the displays, the increased levels of smoke in the air can trigger symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath or even an asthma attack.
“The good news is if people follow our top tips such as taking their preventer inhaler (usually brown) as prescribed, keeping their reliever inhaler (usually blue) with them and making sure their family and friends know what to do if they have an asthma attack, they shouldn’t have to miss out on festivities.
“We advise anyone with a lung condition such as asthma to ensure their friends and family know what to do if they have an asthma attack.”
More advice and information is available here.
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