asthma epidemics have been found associated with some thunderstorms contribute significantly the number of hospital attendances for asthma in the meteorological conditions. The changes in the environment are considered important are a sudden change of air temperature and a sudden increase in the concentration of grass pollen. The people affected are more of a history of hay fever and are far more allergic to ryegrass, they are also less likely than inhaled corticosteroids in the time of the storm.

The mechanisms underlying asthma storm are not well established, as it is caused by a combination of many factors. However, storms are known, a significant impact on pollen, fungal spores, and dust and smoke particles. Although only a small proportion of suspended particles in the atmosphere, pollen grains can be causative agents of allergic respiratory reactions in people who are allergic to pollen. Some grass allergens (such as rye grass allergen) is removed from the surface of starch granules in the pollen. A single pollen grain contains up to 700 grains of starch 0 6-2. 5 um (small enough to reach the lower airways in the lungs). If it rains or is wet, the pollen can absorb moisture and burst, releasing hundreds of small particles that penetrate deep into the small airways of the lung allergenic. We think that could cause an increased release of spores after a storm or heavy rainfall, which precipitated asthma. According to a study by Celenza et al (1996), based on the asthma epidemic in London on 24 and 25 products in June 1994 after a storm has been found that lightning, rain, low temperature air, atmospheric pressure and humidity seems to be the beginning of the epidemic associated with asthma.

According to D’Amato et al (2007), described the characteristics of epidemics of asthma associated with thunderstorms can be summarized as follows:
1 An association between asthma epidemics and thunderstorm.
2 epidemics associated with thunderstorms are dependent on the season, when high concentrations of airborne pollen allergen.
3 The beginning of the storm of a close temporal association with the occurrence of epidemics.
4 patients allergic to pollen, stay indoors with windows closed during the storm are usually not affected.
5 subjects who were not receiving anti-asthma good a big risk, whereas patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma, those who have not, severe bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the experience bronchial Airways).

precautions in the event of a storm
1 Pay attention and listen carefully to the weather.
2 Be aware that thunderstorms could trigger your asthma.
3 Increased anti inhaler, seek, in consultation with your doctor or a nurse and a doctor if you experience an extreme attack.
4 Keep an eye on your condition, either by peak values of constant or the inclusion of your symptoms.

References 1. Venables KM, et al. Thunderstorm-related asthma – the epidemic of 24/25 June 1994. Clin Exp Allergy 1997; 27: 725-736.
2 Wark PAB, Simpson J, Hensley MJ Gibson PG. airway inflammation in asthma thunderstorms. Clin Exp Allergy 2002 32: 1750-1756.
3 Celenza A, Fothergill J, Kupek E, Shaw RJ. Thunderstorm associated asthma: a detailed analysis of the determinants of the environment. BMJ 1996; 312: 604-607.
4 Campbell-Hewson G, Egleston CV, HM Sherriff, SM Robsinson, Allitt U. Epidemic of asthma possibly associated with thunderstorms. BMJ 1994; 309: 1086-1087.
5 D’Amato G, Liccardi G, Frenguelli G. thunderstorm asthma and allergy to pollen. Allergy 2007; 62: 11-16.

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