Maryland State Wire

• 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.

Amid a decline in the air quality across the U.S., millions of Americans have had to deal with the health risks that come along with that, and Dr. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said that breathing well affects several aspects of your life. And if you're not breathing well, you may experience other issues with your health or with life in general.

"I think a lot of patients don't realize that they breathe a certain way,” Khanna told Maryland State Wire. “This is something that's almost ignored, in a sense. You know it's not diabetes, it's not cancer, it's not something that's going to necessarily kill them, but it may affect them. It may shorten their lifespan and may affect their quality of life. That's really the heart of what makes it satisfying -- to help patients and their sinus and breathing and allergy issues."

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 the number of extreme wildfires could jump by as much as 14% by 2030, and by 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 report.

The American Lung Association’s 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.

While bad air quality isn’t good for anyone, it can 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.