Doc Says Vog Visits Up 40%

by Symptom Advice on March 1, 2011

HONOLULU — The recent bouts of thick haze has been setting off allergies and asthma attacks for many people across the state.the haze is expected to worsen again Thursday, before conditions improve, according to the National Weather Service.These episodes of vog, typical of the winter months, are sending more and more people to see a doctor. ?I?m seeing a 30 to 40 percent increase in vog-related symptoms,? said allergist and immunologist Dr. Jeffrey Kam, ?The main complaints associated with the vog are the increasing breathing difficulties. the worst one is obviously the asthma flare-up. the can have nasal congestion, wheezing and the big one now is itchy and watery eyes and the irritated throat.?With increased activity at Kilauea volcano in the last year, the crater is pumping out a noticeable increase in emissions. Forecasters said, naturally, this spreads more vog across the state when a light wind pattern develops.for Mililani resident Amber Cehr, the hazy days triggered symptoms immediately since moving to Hawaii in 2006. ?I never knew it was the vog until I came to see Dr. Kam and he put it all into perspective,? said Cehr.Kam refers to the really sensitive types, like Cehr, as barometers. ?The littlest change or the littlest influx of vog and they start having symptoms. They?re very sensitive and they have to stay in air conditions and avoid exposure as much as possible,? said Kam.Those on medications are urged to continue taking them and maybe even see a physician if a higher dose is necessary. Kam said he has prescribes a lot of steroid medication to control some of the ailments. He also warns that the nasal congestion and wheezing can trigger an asthma attack, even in those who have never had a problem with asthma.the Kau district on the Island of Hawaii faces the brunt of the volcanic emissions year round. Administrators at the Kau State Hospital say, although they don?t have exact numbers because the constant influx of patients, anecdotally both clinic and emergency visits are significantly elevated one to three days after a severe episode of haze.

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