Extreme heat, poor air quality can have significant health impacts. Here is how doctors say you should protect yourself

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Poor air quality and extreme heat, both of which were present in the Golden Horseshoe on Wednesday, can have significant health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations like the unhoused, says a family doctor from Brampton, Ont.

Today, CTV News Toronto spoke with Dr. Ashley Sebastian about the challenges these conditions can pose.

“It’s a bit of a challenge with the air quality and the heat. It poses a serious challenge for some of our patients. Most of our vulnerable population, those who are unhoused, the elderly, the children can see some adverse effects, including exacerbations in asthma, for example,” she said.

“So, we need to pay very close attention to this and if you do need help, seek help at your local emergency department, if you can, or visit your family doctor.”

‘Protecting yourself is very important’

Sebastian said she’s seen a lot more patients coming in with breathing difficulties on Wednesday.

“Particularly, some cases in my office with the smoke advisories. Protecting yourself is important,” she said.

For starters, Sebastian said it’s a good idea to reduce your time outside, especially between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the temperature is “the greatest,” or stay indoors entirely with these kinds of climate conditions.

She is also urging people to wear sunscreen and a hat, and to stay hydrated, avoiding sugary beverages and alcohol, “which can exacerbate heat-related injuries and illness.”

“Make sure to stay loosely clothed, so avoiding any heavy clothing, jeans, sweaters, hoodies, things like that, to regulate your body temperature, and staying inside at as much as possible,” she added.

“Cooling centres: if there’s any cooling centres available to you, public spaces like malls is a great place to shelter from the heat and also from the air quality. But staying inside on a day like today is going to be very important.”

Wearing a mask can help: doctor

The doctor says people who must venture outside, especially those with respiratory issues or other health concerns, should consider wearing a mask to help filter out particulate matter.

“(Masks) can reduce and filter some of the particulate matter that might lead to some breathing difficulties. So certainly, you can wear masks to help improve your breathing quality,” Sebastian said.

She added that it’s also good idea to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially on a day like today where there is poor air quality.