Did you notice yourself coughing more frequently ever since you moved to the United Arab Emirates? There are those who seemed to have developed chronic phlegm in the back of their throat. They often attribute the post-nasal drip to the shift in temperature or humidity. That could very well be the cause of your coughing.
Nonetheless, the problem becomes more alarming when your cough and its accompanying respiratory symptoms persist. Your body can’t seem to adjust to the desert. Could you be allergic to it?
Common Desert Allergies
Allergies do tend to be more common in the desert since it’s dustier. It’s not just the dust and sand, though. For instance, those world-class golf courses also come with their own slew of allergens. Pollen would be the number one culprit, but the chemicals used to maintain the green may also cause allergies.
You don’t have to be outdoors either to suffer from allergy attacks. Indoors, you also have to deal with dust, mold, mildew, mites, etc. If you spend most of your time indoors, but still seem to sneeze and cough frequently, you probably need to be more conscientious about cleaning.
Make sure that your air conditioner is serviced regularly. That machine circulates the air you breathe indoors. If you’re dealing with dirty air conditioning, you’re sure to get sick. Cold and cough prevention isn’t just about keeping your body healthy; it’s also about discouraging germs and allergens from breeding in your living space.
High Asthma Rate in the Desert
The desert can be very punishing to those who suffer from asthma, and in the UAE, they take up more than 14 percent of the population. Triggers vary from case to case, but coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness are symptoms that they all share.
Asthmatics have inflamed airways that react differently to particular environmental triggers. If you’re asthmatic, you need to identify your own triggers so that you can avoid them and more easily live with asthma.
What are the common triggers? The transition months where one season changes into another usually trigger a wave of attacks among asthma sufferers. Dust, which the desert certainly has a massive supply of, is definitely an ever-present trigger, hence the need for asthmatics to always carry their inhalers and wear face masks as often as they can get away with it.
The UAE residents’ reliance on air conditioning doesn’t help asthma sufferers, either. Stale indoor air isn’t the healthiest to breathe in. As mentioned above, all you can do is make sure that you regularly clean your air conditioner and interior.
Other asthma triggers that are common in the UAE are dust mites, mold, pollen, and fragrances. Food allergies can also set off an asthma attack. Gluten and dairy are two allergens asthmatics should best avoid.
If you have asthma, does it mean that it would be best for you to leave the UAE? It doesn’t have to be that drastic of a measure. It might not even be an option for you. With medication and lifestyle changes, you can manage your condition and live a good life in the desert.
Watch Out for Sandstorms
The UAE has its fair share of sand and dust storms, and when they transpire, reported cases of respiratory issues increase by about 25 percent. Coughing becomes prevalent. Those particles in the storm aren’t just dust or sand; they also include viruses, fungi, bacteria, and other germs. The dusty air can also lead to the more run-of-the-mill causes such as the common cold, influenza, and ear infections.
Sandstorms definitely wreak much havoc when they pass through an area. All the residents can do is wear medical masks and pray for rain. Water will prevent sandstorms from occurring.
Breathing in the Desert
The desert environment may be home to many allergens and asthma triggers as well as wet and dry cough causes, but with vigilance and care, you can live a healthy and productive life in it.
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