Asthma sufferers advised to stay indoors during heatwave

People with lung conditions, such as asthma, are being advised to stay indoors during the hottest days of the heatwave to avoid an attack.

The Met Office has issued amber weather alerts for the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East and South West over the coming days, with temperatures forecast to rise to 30C (86F).

It means the impact of the heat is “likely to be felt across the whole health service... and the wider population, not just the most vulnerable”.

On Friday, the charity Asthma + Lung UK, issued a warning to people with lung conditions that the hot weather may cause symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing and coughing, and even potentially deadly asthma attacks or flare-ups.

Nearly one in four asthma sufferers says heat exacerbates their condition, which can be further aggravated by high pollen counts.

Thunderstorms forecast

Thunderstorms are also forecast for Wales and south and western England on Saturday, which can make conditions worse by breaking pollen into small particles that can travel deeper into the lungs.

The charity said that people with asthma or lung conditions should stay indoors or in shaded areas on very hot days, take cool showers and keep an inhaler or medication on hand.

Emma Rubach, head of health Advice at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “Hot weather can be risky for those with lung conditions like asthma. Warm air can cause the airways of people with lung conditions to narrow further and become more inflamed, leading to symptoms such as breathlessness and wheezing or a life-threatening asthma attack.

“If you have a preventer inhaler, we advise you to use it regularly as prescribed as it builds up protection in your airways over time. We’d also advise staying indoors or in shaded areas on very hot days.”

The charity warned that inhaler medications may not work as well when exposed to direct sunlight.

Hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife

Parts of the country are predicted to be hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife in the coming days as a “plume of warm air” moves in from the south, triggering thundery showers.

Some areas could be battered by more than two inches of rainfall in just a few hours on Sunday, with a yellow warning in place for much of the western side of Britain between noon and 9pm.

Forecasters have warned of the potential for sudden flooding on roads and of homes and businesses.

A further yellow alert, which is less serious and warns that there may be some disruption to services due to weather conditions, is in place for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber regions of England, as well as London.

All alerts are in place until 9am on Monday.