This Strange Weather Phenomenon Could Be Stuffing Up Your Nose in Illinois

Do ever feel severely congested or have breathing issues right after it storms? There's a legit meteorological reason for why you feel that way.

Illinois Sinus Issues

Growing up I rarely had sinus or allergy issues, but now as I get older, every year seems to get a little bit worse.

Bad sinus headaches and/or migraines are typically the things that get me, and they get set off by a wide variety of things, from strong smells to weather changes.

It's no secret that the spring season is particularly awful for many allergy sufferers, but have you ever noticed your breathing issues get worse after a strong storm rolls through Illinois and you just thought you were imagining it? Turns out, you're not. Thunderstorm asthma is a real thing.

What is Thunderstorm Asthma?

An article from Harvard Medical School says;

The term describes an attack of asthma that starts or worsens after a thunderstorm. It can occur in anyone with asthma, but it most often affects people with seasonal allergic rhinitis, which many people know as hay fever or allergies.

Ok, wow. So, what about people who aren't suffering from seasonal allergies yet still get severely congested after a storm?

Here's why that happens.

Why You Get More Congested After a Storm

I've always heard a downpour is good for clearing out pollen during the height of allergy season, and this is true, BUT thunderstorms can have the opposite effect.

The American Meteorological Society has a long article about what causes thunderstorm asthma, but I'll try to summarize it like this:

Humidity is high during a thunderstorm causing pollen and mold particles to get stuck in the clouds.

All the wind, rain, and lighting that come with a thunderstorm then break down these pollen and mold particles into even smaller pieces that fly easily through the air...and into our noses and lungs.

Wonderful.

Since we can't get rid of pollen and mold particles and we can't stop a storm, what can we do to prevent thunderstorm asthma?

Not much.

Our best bet is to stay indoors with the windows shut shortly before and after a thunderstorm AND to take our allergy and/or asthma medication before it hits to curb the suffering.