Red Tide and Your Respiratory Health

Red Tide and Your Respiratory HealthThere are plenty of fish in the sea, but unfortunately, this year many of them ended up on the beaches due to red tides toxic effects. Karenia Brevis, also known, as K. Brevis is a natural algae bloom. It is also indicative of blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate. In order to make the algae bloom and migrate, many components are needed such as salinity, temperature, nutrients, phytoplankton, and bacteria.

Red tides typically develop 10-40 mile off the shoreline, but when the current or other means drive them closer to the shore, the toxic effect doesn’t just cause problems for our beautiful sea life and birds, but also for humans. This year’s red tide has been the worst that Southwest Florida has ever seen. With its lingering effects, many people are feeling ongoing respiratory issues.

Exactly how does red tide affect humans?
K. Brevis causes neurological and upper respiratory ailments. The long-term effects of it are still being studied and monitored. But what we do know is that during the most toxic exposure, people report feelings of a teargas like sting in their throat, eyes, and nose.

Because this bacterium is also airborne, it can travel one mile off the shoreline into the towns, into your home, and into your lungs. When the lungs become irritated, this can trigger phlegm, mucous, productive coughing and irritated bronchia. People may feel shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness in their chest. In a healthy person, they can usually fight off the disorder, but if someone has COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), a lung infection, or immune deficiencies, their ability to bounce back from red tide will be difficult. The Florida Department of Health advises people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions, such as emphysema or asthma, to avoid red tide areas.

According to a peer-reviewed study titled, A Review of Florida Red Tide and Human Health Effects, the effects of red tide aerosols were monitored in lifeguards and individuals with asthma. The generated aerosols significantly affected the lifeguards during their 8-hour shift, but the symptoms subsided after their work hours we complete. However, the asthmatic individuals showed severe side effects of red tide and their symptoms did not subside after leaving the beach. They lingered for several days to weeks and caused adverse lung functioning and breathing issues. Furthermore, this study concluded that those individuals with COPD, Cystic Fibrosis or other lung and respiratory issues, should avoid red tide areas altogether. Keeping the windows shut, with the air-conditioning on in both the car and your home are helpful at reducing red tide aerosols.

If you or someone you know has developed wheezing, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, a feeling of fluid build up in your lungs, or other lung and coughing related symptoms, you must seek a physicians medical guidance and treatment as soon as possible.

When it comes to respiratory health, it’ best not to wait to be treated as these conditions can quickly escalate and cause long-term damage to the lungs and bronchi. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. If you need treatment, please contact your physician.

To schedule an appointment with a pulmonary specialist, please call Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Specialists of SWFL today at (239) 985-1925, or ask your primary care physician refer you to their office.

Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep
Medicine Specialists of SWFL
7335 Gladiolus Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 985-1925
www.breatheeasyswfl.com

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