The Chairman of the Honorary Council of the Indonesian Society of\nRespirology, Prof Tjandra Yoga Aditama, has said that people with\nrespiratory conditions such as asthma need to anticipate acute asthma\nattacks when facing exposure to smoke from forest and land fires\n(karhutla).<\/p>\n
\u201cConsult a doctor about the type and dosage of medication. What needs\nto be anticipated, of course, is an acute asthma attack,\u201d Prof Tjandra\ntold ANTARA in Jakarta on Monday.<\/p>\n
Asthma sufferers facing karhutla smoke, Tjandra said, need to use\ncontroller inhalers regularly as advised by their doctor.<\/p>\n
Asthma sufferers also need to pay attention to the use of reliever\nmedication when necessary, particularly when experiencing symptoms such\nas shortness of breath.<\/p>\n
The Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia,\nsaid that forest fire smoke contains several substances that harm\nhealth, such as particles, especially those measuring 2.5 microns, known\nas PM2.5, which when inhaled trigger inflammation.<\/p>\n
According to Tjandra, the health impact of smoke exposure can\npotentially cause various respiratory disorders. Symptoms to watch out\nfor from karhutla smoke exposure are the same as general respiratory\ncomplaints, such as coughing, possibly with phlegm, shortness of breath,\nand chest pain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe acute impact (of karhutla smoke exposure) includes acute\nrespiratory tract infections or ISPA. Further impacts include worsening\nof lung infections, asthma and other diseases, and can increase the risk\nof cardiorespiratory disorders,\u201d said the Director of the Postgraduate\nProgramme at YARSI University.<\/p>\n
In addition to directly impacting health, Tjandra said, forest fires\nalso disrupt residents\u2019 access to health services in affected areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf forest fires are of high intensity, over a wide area and last\nquite a long time, they will affect transport in the affected areas, as\nwell as the availability of clean water, communication disruptions and\nresources too,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Tjandra said efforts to prevent health risks from\nkarhutla smoke exposure should include avoiding active fires where it is\nsafe to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cAvoid unnecessary travel and use a good mask, even in the form of a\nrespirator if necessary, if you have to go to areas near forest fires,\u201d\nTjandra said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asthma-sufferers-warned-of-acute-attacks-amid-forest-fire-haze-1787590344", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }