Submitted by worriedaboutlove t3_119phph in philadelphia
For the past 8 hours, my nose has been incredibly stuffed up. Now, you might say, that’s a you problem, but my Dyson Air Filter Fan has been indicating hazardous air with some crazy numbers for this period as well…but all my windows are closed.
What’s going on here? I need help solving this mystery.
Where in the city are you? Center City, for me
AQI in center city is 56 right now. Not crazy high but higher than usual. Definitely would affect most people with histories of respiratory issues
My PM10 is reading at over 200.
Where are you seeing that? I don’t have that but if that’s the case that’s really terrible.
It’s one of the options you can swipe through on the Dyson. You can look at PM10, 24hr AQ, PM 2.5 etc.
That tracks. Some of the pro bono legal work I do is petitioning the EPA to repair/maintain faulty federal air quality monitors. Especially in big cities (and especially in low-income areas), the monitors are a mess. Without accurate data, citizens can’t initiate Clean Air Act suits against polluters because there’s no/little indication that atmospheric pollution is too high in the first place.
Insane that the fed govt doesn’t properly fund things like this. Leaving us literally in the dust.
This would explain my migraine.
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so the Ohio toxicity made its way here?
CO is high over most of the area. I've been struggling most of the week. I thought I caught Covid again.
Wouldn't surprise me. The entire northern half of the state got blanketed by the stuff unfortunately.
Maybe a dumb question but can really poor air quality cause issues other than respiratory? I’m in CC as well and have had an unexplained stomach ache since last evening.
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Norovirus is going around and very contagious.
Came here to say this. It went from west to east People said that the mountains would get rid of it…. Didn’t believe it. Edited to say I’m a dumbass and posted bsckwards lol
Pressure.
We going from 20 to 70 to 20
Days like today make my bowls hurt too.
Yoooo same:)
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My air purifier too! Windows also closed.
Holy shit, we're the second biggest hotspot for CO next to... basically all of eastern China? What the hell is going on here?
Yeah wtf is up with the region?
Is that your balls or your bowels or both
Cars & manufacturing.
We're hardly the #2 manufacturing center on the planet, so that doesn't track.
Wouldn’t that be going the other way since we’re east of Ohio?
There are huge polluters you might not see. Up here, there is a big battery manufacturer out in the farmland and a huge concrete plant behind some trees.
Also, fuck-tonne of cars.
the federal government which taxes the crap out of us and the federal government that is huge and growing , the federal government that cant balance a budget.. DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU!
Uh they really need to fix that considering 1/3 of the country deals with wildfire smoke for months every year.
What a mess
Seasonal allergies start in Feb now. Oh and the massive change in temp
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Just got that, Took me out for 3 days
The problem with Government, at least in the US, is that there's two parties in charge of it. One party tries to get it to work, the other party says "the government is broken, let me show you how broken it can be." Government also doesn't tax the crap out of us, taxes have been higher in the past, just the biggest money people get the most tax breaks.
Jet stream brings a lot to us before it shifts north.
Seriously. High of 68 today and high of 36 Saturday. 🫠
Nope.
Prevailing winds travel across the country from West to East. Also compounding is the fact that there has been a lot of days with clouds and warm air aloft which will trap air at the surface, i.e. high particulate levels.
I’m completely ignorant when it comes to meteorology. Can you explain the correlation between the temp change and atmospheric pressure and breathing problems?
i really need to get a barometer. but yeah, i felt weird this morning too.
Preface: not a doctor. Just someone with fucked up sinus anatomy.
Your sinuses, the empty-ish spaces in your head have release valves (it's not really a valve, but an opening with membranes lining it, but anyway). On some people these openings are functional, they don't get swollen, their anatomy is proper so they they aren't blocked by other parts of your nasal anatomy, they don't have polyps or a deviated septum. Those folks probably rarely feel changes from pressure maybe other than in an airplane because the system is pretty open and pressure can't build because air is 'stuck'.
For those of us with shitty sinus anatomy, deviated septums, allergies, this closes those release valves. So there's just air trapped in your sinuses. The pressure changes, the amount of space that air takes up feels different. And since it's pressing on tissue, bone, face stuff, it hurts. This causes irritation, which causes swelling, which puts you in a horrible feedback loop of stuffiness and pain.
I cannot currently hear out of my right ear because there is so much pressure built up in there.
Oof I’m not surprised it was rough.
I wish I could share a picture, but there’s a whole bunch of white gunk on my HoneyWell fan, which is, notably, NOT an air filter. It was not there a few days ago.
YEP
Wind blowing over from Ohio/Pittsburgh? It was bound to make its way over
I've been extremely stuffed up and coughing at night maybe like once or twice a week for the past month. It's been so random and unexplained. Is this the same thing you're experiencing?!
> One party tries to get it to work, the other party says "the government is broken, let me show you how broken it can be."
I used to think that was true, but there's a lot of stuff they could try to get to work that they sit on their hands over. Preferable to the side that works to make things worse but still terrible for the average citizen.
Woke up today with a mild sore throat (like I get with allergies, not illness) and some slight vertigo that gradually wore off. Related?
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Bowls. My China is in agony
It’s an express train of particulates running south to north ahead of the next cold front
My windows are always cracked open. I had a sore throat this morning around 4am but it went away.
The sky outside looks decidedly weird tho.
Probably because of the strict COVID lockdowns that were in place. Sorry for your homeland.
I feel you.
I too am a barometric migraine sufferer. The only thing that seems to help is pregaming work Excedrin and dark room rest.
Which is great as I work in a high rise in Center City and can see the fronts coming in.
Do you have a humidifier? They can sometimes deposit a white residue.
Someone called the migraine time coming in the Tuesday chat thread, IIRC, due to changes in temps over the end of the week (and pressure, I presume).
Maybe all the Kensington trash fire smoke is making its way to you. I used to walk to work in the summer and fall but when they started burning ANYTHING to stay warm I literally couldn't breathe walking. It's like chemical warfare here in Kensington. The toxic fumes are constantly in the air. It's horrible. It smells like what I'd assume a milk crate factory would smell like if it was burning down. ...Sigh. I hope you feel better.
Explains why my tinnitus was going crazy the last few days.
I've had nose problems since the start of February, I think. Just having nights where I can't breathe through my nose and taking cold meds at 1 am so I can sleep.
This sucks.
My sinuses have been fucked up for like the last week, after getting over another bout earlier in the month. I'm at the point where I might need someone else to get me Sudafed from the Pharmacy as I'm afraid I might be at the 'limit'.
the concentration over the area is co2
not a doctor but anyone who studies vocals/singing can tell you your whole head is a resonant cavity. it's like if you live in a high rise and a draft from the porch causes your front door to slam shut. Great name btw
My allergies cook me when the weather changes rapidly too. It gets worse as I get older too
I just changed my HVAC filter last night and it was bright green. I think I replaced it last in like december.
Anyone catch the burnt toast smell in Fairmount this morning around 16th Street?
As an Asthmatic with Nonallergic rhinitis (real thing look it up 😅) I have been DYING this week..
im sleeping in the burbs and ive noticed my sinuses are fucked. the comment about pressure is usually the culprit. it was always worse for me in the city
Omg, I thought my air purifier was broken. It’s been running on max for the past few days. Crazy
Wow that’s why my asthma has been so horrendous this week.
This filtered bright ass sun isn’t helping one bit.
More likely the two dozen coal-fired power plants in PA and Ohio, since those don't stop—and they're nearly all west of us, so that shit gets blown right our way.
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me too, i'm on day 3 and still have a low grade fever 😭 gopuff must think i'm running a gatorade racket
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I know my sinus headaches were in rare (maybe not so rare now that spring has started early) form last night. So, yes, allergies and the drastic changes of weather can affect people in more ways than they think they would.
Same! I'm on day 3 of mine :(
I went to an urgent care and they gave me everything I needed to get well. I know that’s not an option for everyone but I recommend if it is one for you. I’m on day four now with very light symptoms. Also I highly recommend pedialyte!
So I feel like in one of the early days I saw a map that showed where they were expecting it to move, at that point it was more southwest but ever since then I haven’t been able to find another map - is there one & I’m just terrible at googling or is it just a guess at this point?
My mom's asthma has been so bad this last week. I've been blaming it on Ohio. All that air has finally reached our area.
I am also suffering, comrades. Does anyone know when we can expect it to get better? I’m tired of being sick. 🙃
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Purple Air is the most accurate, especially if you exclude the indoor air sensors. Showing 101 right now, which definitely feels accurate.
Anatomy isn't immune from physics. This is a different flavor of the ideal gas|real gas 🚸🎈🎈 laws.
Putting peeps [the CANDY 🍬 snack] in the microwave is a pretty safe demo- or pet a frog 🐸 😉 Your call.
Thanks, I probably need somebody to check out my sternum-- it's probably still just gingivitis, but I wouldn't normally think about what indigestion actually is.
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i already talked to my doc so luckily i'm set on that end!
Seeing flowers and cherry trees blooming in February is only slightly alarming... The cherry blossom festival is taking place mid April and I can't imagine there will be any blossoms by then
Getting allergy shots now. Blood work found year round environmental issues. Your HEPA filter is correct. Stay on your meds
Endoscopic sinus surgery is life changing fwiw
Cherry Dun' Blossomed Fest
How have you liked allergy shots? My allergist was shocked that I had never seen an allergist when I finally went in August. Buying a HEPA in 2020 was the best decision of my life. Well worth the money.
Had it twice! Its great! really does make an astonishing difference and I’d be much worse off if I haven’t had them. But. Apparently the right side of my face anatomy is all smushed up so there’s only so much space they can free up.
The ear is probably looking at tubes, unfortunately…
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There's a dreadful cold going around.
Wow..just starting the shots in May. Allergist says by next year I should be doing better. First time doing this. He also said for me to invest in a good Hepa filter for my basement. ( Drinking area). Just started seeing mine in Jan. I jog 4-5 days a week and kept getting sick in the winter and summer. After extensive blood work and tests the culprit was the environment ( along with all grass and trees know to man..and shellfish. Oh..and cock roaches and mice.). Think that's it
I’ve been getting my spring allergy for 1-2 weeks now. Eyes itching, sneezing, runny nose.
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My allergies are crazy right now. I’ve hit my inhaler a few times today already
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Sometimes keeping all your windows closed can be a bad thing. We have air quality sensors all over our home. Some are Eve Room devices and some are built into our Air Purifiers with carbon dioxide sensors. Often times when levels spike and we’re not doing anything to cause it like cooking food then it’s a good sign to open the window. That always brings the levels down. When the carbon dioxide sensor registers high values it’s typically in our bedroom while we’re sleeping. I definitely notice that we get headaches and poor sleep when carbon dioxide is elevated.
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December as in 2 months ago? That's...way too soon for your filter to be clogged
My misery does not appreciate company. However, reading all of this does help to lessen the 'is it just me that's miserable af today' I have the jacked up sinuses many of you mentioned also, and I really think it's time for me to get those balloons. Just look at all this pollinated air I'm missing out on due to swollen passages😒
Guess this sub hates dad jokes lol
someone in my house has the windows open 24/7, even in the winter
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I spent the last day researching and buying a bigger higher end air filter for my first floor. I have double doors to the outside and they are sealed pretty well, but man o man, I feel like I go downstairs and all of a sudden I have a head and lungs full of snot.
For real, jesus.
Oh well yeah that'll probably do it. Fortunately the filters are fairly cheap
Yeah I have like 15 of them around so it's not a big deal. I should honestly probably just get an air purifier.
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Or close the mf window haha
half of my day is spent closing windows
the other day 5 of 8 windows were open. it was 40 out.
Is that why some days I can carry a tune pretty well and others I sound like a donkey? I've always wondered!
2 years of shots (immunotherapy) all but eliminated what used to be pretty crippling seasonal allergies for me. Going on 5+ years of relief. Highly recommend if you can stick with it.
I don't have asthma, but I was in Penn's Landing today and noticed that the smog problem was particularly bad
I'm late to the conversation, but when I went out for lunch in Old City today, and there was a noticeable white haze outside. Probably going to make for a pretty killer sunset.
Yeah I feel like breathing is a challenge. Going from 35 to 70 in 12 hours is part of it but also just look at the sky. It's very hazy and it's not even that humid. Air quality index is moderate.
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Totally. We should just start demanding they work together.
does closing windows help with indoor air quality? i assumed fresh air is good.
Feels like I haven’t been able to consistently breathe out my nose for a month now
I have been stuffed up off and on for a week and a half
Keeps the pollen out
It was also in an old map that I saw it: https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/comments/1144k45/apparently_were_going_to_get_some_of_the_fallout/
I’ve had a sinus infection since last week. Thought I was the only one.
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I've had to start my seasonal allergy meds
Omg it’s my time to shine.
The relation between temperature and pressure has to do with the ideal gas law: PV = nRT Where P is pressure, V is volume, n is moles of gas present, R is a constant, and T is temperature.
From this equation, we can see Pressure and Temperature are inherently related. If all else is the same (e.g. volume doesn’t change and the moles of gas don’t change) when pressure goes up, temperature follows suit.
Pressure, in meteorological terms, you can imagine as a huge stack (of air) over your head. Think of a column of bricks on top of your head at the very point you’re standing. When pressure is low, air flows inward and up (removing bricks from your head). When pressure is high, air flows outward and down (putting more bricks on your head)
Higher pressure literally means there is more pressure on your body at that time and place you are standing. In our example, imagine more bricks on top of your head than when it’s lower pressure.
I’m not exactly sure how it relates to sinuses, but the body must be able to detect these subtle differences, and that’s why you feel different.
There are other meteorological and environmental factors possibly at play too such as inversion layers that act as blankets and “trap” pollution, warmer temps so flora and fauna react as well, triggering allergies earlier because of warmer weather.
I have a degree in meteorology which I haven’t used in a long time, so this was a fun exercise for me. Thanks!
Been feeling strange pressure in my ears the last 24 hrs. More so at night. Isn’t feeling like a regular ear infection though
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This might explain my immense brain fog
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Some days it feels like you're breathing more pollutants than usual. That can be due to an inversion that prevents air from mixing properly and pollutants are trapped near the ground.
My ears/sinuses/head were excruciating yesterday. I think there is just a powerful weather system swooping through with the storms most of the country is getting.
The headache was excruciating yesterday, lord. I was near tears.
Pretty sure I don’t have norovirus. Also have aches in upper abdomen area for like 3 days. Really painful at times.
Same. But that’s my only symptom.
Instant migraine for me.
Same. Wonder what’s causing it. People are talking about the atmospheric pressure.
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I’m feeling better last couple hours so hope you are too!!
I’ve had a migraine since Tuesday and been stuffed up all week so yea. I blame the spy balloon, something is definitely trying to kill me. Lol … seriously tho, I don’t know if it’s the weather or what but the past few days have been awful
Me too. I was wondering when it would come this week with this flip flopping weather but now I know. The answer is: today.
Sorry. Good luck.
Luckily I have off today so I can lie down with an ice pack on my face (my migraine pain is around my nose and eyes) and listen to some podcasts. Meds don’t really do anything for me but the ice helps a bit. I hope it passes soon for you if you’re still suffering.
Mine a whole other story but I wish you fast recovery. If you get bored I just discovered this podcast. I’m 10 minutes into episode 1 and I can’t stop laughing.
Hilarious podcast!
I read some of your older posts and I’m so sorry you’re dealing with LC. My chronic issues are also related to a post-viral syndrome (circa 1994) so when people began reporting their post-covid symptoms en masse it felt like deja vu.
Oh geez! I’m sorry you can relate. Feel free to DM if you ever want to swap stories or be distracted. I’m ilene.
Late to the party, but y'all realize we are downwind of Palestine, OH right?
There's a non-zero chance this is fallout from the train wreck fires.
are we at risk for cancer now? (: fun
diatriose t1_j9nf5v9 wrote
Same. My air purifier has been on high alert. Got to humidifier running now. 🤷🏻♀️