Serious warning for anyone with asthma as storms create danger

Serious warning for anyone with asthma as storms create danger View Image

Thunderstorms can trigger a surge in serious asthma attacks, according to a new study. Researchers found that thunderstorms lead to "sharp" increases in asthma-related hospital visits.

Thunderstorms are considered a risk factor for asthma attacks in patients suffering from pollen allergy, according to the World Allergy Organisation. American researchers analysed 4,439 asthma-related visits to three hospitals in Wichita, Kansas, from January 2020 to December 2024.

Using meteorologic records, they identified 38 thunderstorm days during the study period. The findings showed that around one in seven (14%) of all asthma-related hospital visits (627 cases) occurred on just 38 storm days, which represented only 2% o