Children's Wisconsin sees rise in critical asthma patients, urges extra precautions during heat wave

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Health professionals are warning people with asthma to take extra precautions during this heat wave. 

According to the American Lung Association, breathing in hot air, whether dry or filled with moisture, can trigger symptoms as it causes the airways to tighten and narrow. 

We spoke with an expert at Children's Wisconsin to learn when to seek help.

"Be sure to monitor for any increase in coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, even abrupt symptoms- if they're not responding to inhalers- can be dangerous very quickly, so if you're not responding to medicines, seek care," said Sara Lowe, Children's Wisconsin. 

This warning comes as Children's says they're seeing an uptick in critical asthma patients. 

In June alone, 10 of these patients were seen by medical staff.