Health Watch

Smoky skies trigger health warnings

Posted: Sep 25, 2012 9:03 PM by Melissa Anderson - MTN News

Heavy smoke from wildfires hanging over the skies of Montana continue to cause health problems for sensitive groups.

The Lewis & Clark County Health Department has issued daily warnings that prolonged exposure to the smoky air can cause breathing problems.

In the past week, urgent care doctors are reporting an increased number of people complaining of respiratory problems due to the smoke.

Treatment can vary depending on the symptoms.

Dr. Mark Ibsen of Urgent Care Plus explained, "If someone develops a fever and they develop chest pain and they have an x-ray that shows a pneumonia, for sure antibiotics. If they are wheezing and they are exhibiting signs of inflammation, we'll probably just use an anti-inflammatory medication to help them through it."

Ibsen says people who are sensitive to unhealthy air are advised to stay indoors as much as possible and may even want to use air filtering devices inside their homes and air conditioning in their cars.

Click here for current air quality information at the MT DEQ website.