STORMY conditions across the county have caused a surge of asthma cases at Ipswich Hospital.Thunderstorms raging around the area after last week's hot weather have played havoc for people with the complaint.

STORMY conditions across the county have caused a surge of asthma cases at Ipswich Hospital.

Thunderstorms raging around the area after last week's hot weather have played havoc for people with the complaint.

This week the accident and emergency department at Ipswich Hospital has dealt with four times the amount of cases than they normally would.

In one day 12 cases were brought in when on a normal day only two or three people would be seen.

Experts believe the problems are caused when heavy rain causes the number of asthma causing allergens to increase which makes attacks more common.

Asthma problems have also been getting worse elsewhere in the region.

At Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge one person even died from an asthma attack.

In a 36-hour period 38 other patients were admitted to the hospital when their symptoms worsened, bringing the problem to epidemic proportions.

It is also believed that the West Suffolk hospital has had more than five times the normal amount of cases.

A spokeswoman for Ipswich Hospital said: "This is a look back at what happened earlier on the week.

"Changes in atmospheric conditions has caused more people to have attacks.

"When it is very hot, stormy and humid people with respiratory problems do have problems.

"We have been very busy in A+E but the staff have been able to cope with it well."

WEBLINK: www.asthma.org.uk