What Doctors Don't Tell YouAustralian researchers have reported that the atmospheric conditions associated with thunderstorms may increase the likelihood of asthma outbreaks.
Using asthma emergency department attendance figures in six towns in southeast Australia, the strongest association was with late spring and summer. At this time of year, the cold air outflows associated with thunderstorms sweep up pollen and other particles, and increase their concentration in a shallow band of air at ground level by 8 to 12 times, leading to an increase in severe asthma attacks (Thorax, 2001; 56: 468-71).
Daniel Redwood DC
Tom Ferguson MD
