How can poor air quality impact asthma patients?

Poor air quality can have a significant detrimental impact on asthma patients. Pollutants and irritants present in the air, such as particulate matter, smoke, ozone, and other allergens, can exacerbate respiratory conditions. For individuals with asthma, these environmental factors can cause inflammation of the airways, leading to increased bronchoconstriction and making it more difficult to breathe. This aggravation of symptoms can manifest as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and can potentially trigger asthma attacks, which are serious and require immediate attention.

In contrast to the other options presented, which suggest that air quality either has no effect on asthma or only affects subsets of patients, it is well-established through research that pollutants can affect almost all asthma patients, regardless of allergy status. Therefore, acknowledging the impact of poor air quality is crucial for managing asthma effectively and mitigating risks for patients.