SW Dallas News

• As of last year, reports have shown that more than one-third of Americans live in areas with poor air quality.
• With the Canadian wildfires affecting the U.S. throughout the summer, it's likely that your breathing has been affected.
• If you suffer from asthma or other sinus issues, seeking treatment from a sinus specialist can help to reduce issues that could be triggered by bad air quality.

With the air quality in the U.S. on a decline, millions of Americans have had to deal with the health risks that come along with it, and Dr. Monty Trimble of Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said that breathing well affects several aspects of your life. And if you're not breathing well, you're going to experience other issues with your health or with life in general.

"I definitely see patients whose improved well-being has led to an improved ability to think, to work, they feel more well-rested. And I think that that goes back to appreciating the importance of the nose and the sinuses on breathing and how important that is,” Trimble told SW Dallas News. “As I've had many years to think and ponder this, I realized that if you think about what our normal effort and what our body does, what we're conscious of, breathing is probably the number one thing. I often tell patients, if I could increase your effort that you would need to breathe comfortably by 10 to 20% during the day, how do you think that would make you feel by the end of the day?" 

According to the American Lung Association, its 2023 “State of the Air” report indicated that 36% of Americans, about 119.6 million people, currently reside in areas that have unhealthy amounts of ozone pollution. Particulate matter pollution -- which includes ash, dust, metals and soot -- is at its highest level ever, in areas with a population of about 63.7 million people. 

According to CNN, wildfires have impacted a number of countries around the world, and a report issued last year by the UN Environment Programme found that the number of extreme wildfires could jump by as much as 14% by 2030 and up to 30% by 2050.

NPR reported that Canada has been experiencing its worst wildfire season on record amid rising temperatures and dry conditions, which also are impacting a number of regions in the U.S. This is impacting air quality, with no end in sight to the wildfire season, which usually runs through October, according to the CNN. 

While bad air quality isn’t good for anyone, it can prove to be a bigger issue for people who struggle with sinus issues and asthma, fueling problems that could be exasperated by nasal inflammation, according to the American Sinus Institute. Swelling blocks the nasal passages and leads to an increase in mucus, which could spark an infection.

If you're prone to any of these issues, seeking treatment from a sinus specialist can help. To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.