Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Society of Pulmonology recommended a series of measures to prevent health damage from Saharan dust and warned about the impact on patients with respiratory diseases.
In a statement, the president of the entity suggested reducing outdoor exposure during days with higher dust concentration, keeping doors and windows closed, and avoiding intense physical activities in open spaces.
Dr. Maribel Jorge also asked to protect your eyes, stay well hydrated, and clean surfaces with damp cloths to prevent dust from dispersing back into the environment.
He emphasized that for patients with asthma, allergies, or chronic respiratory diseases, it is essential not to discontinue their medications, to keep the inhalers prescribed by their doctor on hand, and to go to a health center if they experience shortness of breath, wheezing, persistent cough, fever, chest pain, or a worsening of their usual symptoms.
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He explained that the dust would impact the health of patients with asthma, allergies, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, allergic rhinitis, as well as older adults, children, pregnant women, and patients with chronic diseases.
He maintained that the presence of Saharan dust over Dominican territory represents a frequent natural phenomenon during the warm months, but its effects on respiratory health should not be underestimated.
“The Pan American Health Organization has pointed out that, when these dust storms reach populated areas, they can cause allergies and asthma attacks, especially in people with respiratory problems, older adults, children, or patients with weakened immune systems,” he added.
Dr. Jorge specified that symptoms such as nasal irritation, persistent cough, congestion, burning eyes, and pain can also occur.
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He stated that “Sahara Dust particles travel thousands of kilometers from the Sahara Desert to the Caribbean and can irritate the respiratory tract, eyes, throat, and skin, in addition to worsening symptoms in sensitive patients or those with pre-existing respiratory diseases”.
“Sahara dust should not cause panic, but rather awareness and prevention,” explained Dr. Jorge, in the statement from the Dominican Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery.
