Your asthma symptoms can change from time to time — which are mostly because of the combination of seasonal and lifestyle changes in a person’s life. Most asthma attacks can happen during the autumn and winter seasons. But that doesn’t mean they don’t happen in spring and summer.
Asthma and weather are two things that are always linked together. That’s why we highly recommend people who are diagnosed with asthma always look after their health no matter what season it is. If you have asthma and need something to help you prepare and avoid asthma flare-ups during any season, this post can help you.
Asthma Cold Weather
Winter
Asthma in cold weather is common, especially in the winter. This is because the cold air is harder to breathe in which results in your airways becoming more narrow and contracting. This contraction causes asthma flare-ups to happen. Large gatherings in winter is also what helps the spread of cold or flu. Cold and flu can trigger asthma attacks. This is also the time when people are mostly indoors which increases their exposure to house allergens.
Autumn
Dryer seasons like autumn can also be the cause of asthma flare-ups. During this time, the air is dry which makes it harder for an individual’s lungs to receive an ample amount of air. This slows down a person’s breathing which can result in an asthma attack.
Asthma and Hot Weather
Spring
During springtime, there is an increase in the level of pollen and allergens present in the air. This pollen is carried by the wind during thunderstorms. Thunderstorm asthma can leave high levels of pollen in the surroundings which cause blockage in the airways and asthma flare-ups.
Summer
Humidity and asthma are also two things that are connected. During summer, the sun’s heat waves cause us to sweat profusely which will lead to dehydration. When you are dehydrated, you tend to breathe faster. All of these combined can cause an asthma attack. Moreover, summertime is also a time when common allergens like dust mites and mould thrive in hot and humid weather. This can cause an individual’s airways to get irritated which leads to asthma attacks.
How To Prevent Asthma Attacks
Asthma attacks can happen anytime, especially when an individual diagnosed with asthma is exposed to pollen or allergens. However, allergens are not the only reason why asthma flare-ups happen. The different seasonal changes can also affect the life of a person who is suffering from asthma. So, to help avoid and prevent asthma attacks, here are some tips you need to follow:
Identify Your Asthma Triggers and Symptoms
It’s best to know what triggers your asthma so you will be able to avoid them. Asthma triggers that can lead to an asthma attack are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, etc. That’s why it’s important to identify what triggers your asthma so you can take steps to avoid an asthma attack.
Make an Asthma Action Plan
An asthma action plan can help you know what to do during an asthma flare-up. Your asthma action plan should document vital details during an asthma flare-up such as taking your medicine, how to handle your asthma attack, and how to control and avoid asthma symptoms throughout the whole year. If you don’t know how to make an asthma action plan, you do so with your doctor.
Use a Spacer
Your inhaler can indeed help you with your asthma. However, doctors highly recommend both adults and children with asthma use a spacer when taking asthma medicine. Using a spacer can help the medication reach your lungs faster and more effectively.
Asthma can happen anytime. That’s why it’s important to always be ready no matter what season it is. And through the help of this guide, you are now aware of the different seasonal factors that may trigger your asthma. At Home Healthcare Online, we have asthma spacers and other products to help with your asthma. Visit us today for more information.
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