Winter brings with it a whole lot of problems that not all of us are ready to deal with. For people with asthma, the low temperature and dry air make winter a much less favored season than summer or spring. To avoid as much wheezing and coughing as possible, there are certain preventive steps you can take to help with winter asthma symptoms.
Take Your Reliever Inhaler with You All the Time
Your reliever inhaler helps strengthen your airways, making them less sensitive to environmental triggers such as cold air. As soon as you notice the typical symptoms of asthma such as wheezing, tightness in your chest or shortness of breath, use your inhaler immediately to alleviate them.
Wear Warm Clothes and Protect Your Nose
By wearing a scarf that wraps loosely around your nose and mouth, you can reduce the triggers to a great extent. The cold air will be warmed up before it has the chance to reach your lung, lowering the risk of causing an allergic reaction. If you are not comfortable with having a scarf wrapped around your nose all the time, just try breathing through the nose. This way, the air will also be warmed up before it’s passed onto the lung.
Remember What Triggers You
An asthma attack can be triggered by exposure to a number of allergens, for example, pollen, chemicals in the air, strong odors (perfume), molds, or dust mites. The triggers can vary from person to person, so it’s important to keep track of your own. Not all triggers will cause asthma symptoms immediately after the exposure. It all depends on how sensitive the person is to the allergen and the type of the allergen itself.
Limit Outdoor Exercise
If you are an athletic type of person, having to confine yourself indoors during the winter months may sound like a form of punishment, but trust us, it will do your asthma good. Excessive outdoor exercise in cold weather conditions can cause shortness of breath. Instead of sitting around the house during wintertime, you can instead opt for healthy indoors activities such as yoga, Pilates, or taking up fitness classes.
Keep the Air Moist with a Humidifier
The air can get extremely dry in winter and dry air is among the most common asthma triggers. Invest in a quality humidifier to ensure that your indoor air is moist.
Above are five practical preventive methods to keep your asthma under control during the harsh winter months.
Get Help with Asthma
Asthma symptoms can make you miserable and impact the quality of your life. If you feel that you are suffering from the symptoms of asthma, and are ready to discover relief, contact The Allergy Group. Our doctors will review your symptoms, discuss your medical history, perform an exam, and conduct testing to diagnose. We will then utilize this information to educate you on how to treat, reduce, and if possible, eliminate a recurrence. Medication may be prescribed on an as-needed basis or for seasonal use only. To schedule an appointment, call The Allergy Group today at (208) 377-4000 or submit a contact form.
Our team of board-certified physicians and medical professionals are experts in the field of allergy, asthma and immunology. Our doctors and physician assistant have backgrounds in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. The Allergy Group has clinics located in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle and Caldwell. We are committed to caring for patients in Treasure Valley and beyond.