Dust exposure could trigger hidden respiratory conditions, expert says

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Dust vulnerability could trigger hidden respiratory conditions, adept says

Dust fills the sky implicit Iraklio, Crete, during 1 of respective episodes of particulate clouds transported from North Africa this month. [Makis Kartsonakis/InTime News]

As southerly winds proceed to broad skies successful galore parts of Greece with particulate from the Sahara Desert, wellness experts are revising nationalist wellness warnings.

The caller guidelines issued by the Public Health Organization (EODY) grow the absorption from vulnerable individuals already diagnosed with asthma oregon different respiratory diseases to the wide population, highlighting symptoms that could awesome undiagnosed conditions, a starring adept said.

According to Theodoros Vassilakopoulos, president of EODY’s technological assembly and a prof of pulmonology and intensive attraction medicine astatine the University of Athens, vulnerability to Saharan particulate tin trigger mild inflammation successful the assemblage arsenic particles settee connected the skin and mucous membranes.

“Most radical respond without symptoms. However, a scope of symptoms whitethorn bespeak underlying chronic conditions such arsenic allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD),” Vassilakopoulos told Kathimerini.

Symptoms that should punctual a visit to a doc see watery oregon irritated eyes, sneezing and runny nose, coughing and phlegm, but particularly shortness of enactment oregon tightness successful the chest.

Vassilakopoulos noted that astir 1 cardinal radical successful Greece are estimated to person COPD, with astir fractional undiagnosed. Exposure to Saharan particulate tin trigger symptoms successful these individuals, starring them to question treatment.

So acold successful 2026, nary important summation successful infirmary admissions linked to dust-related respiratory infections has been observed, though wellness authorities proceed to show the situation. Patients with existing conditions are advised to consult their doctors astir adjusting treatment during particulate episodes, which tin worsen allergies when combined with seasonal pollen.