SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) -- The Antique Medical Society (AMS) stressed different remedies to manage and control asthma as it warned the public that the hot and humid weather may cause symptoms to flare up.

In a press conference, Dr. Helarose B. Mendoza-Elisterio from the AMS and the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP)-Northwest Panay Chapter said that many asthma attacks occur under extreme heat conditions.

Some of the outdoor triggers to look out for are weather, air quality, pollen count, smoke, and vapor, while indoor triggers include pets, dust mites, pests, sprays, scents, and disinfectants, among others.

In this hot, dry season, asthmatic individuals are recommended to stay indoors under cooler temperatures, use High-Efficiency Particulate (HEPA) air filters, air conditioners, or dehumidifiers, keep homes as clean as possible, wear dust masks when cleaning, and use allergen-proof pillows and mattress covers.

To address this health concern, World Asthma Day is observed each year on the first Tuesday of May to improve asthma awareness around the world and advocate for asthma care for all, especially in low and middle-income families.

World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), a World Health Organization (WHO)-collaborative organization, which strives to promote the availability of and access to effective and quality medication. (AGP/BPS/PIA Antique with reports from WHO and GINA)