The dark nights and cold air of the upcoming winter can trigger asthma attacks and make us succumb to allergic colds. For people suffering from asthma it is very unpredictable as to what can trigger a bout of breathing problems. It can be your soap or detergent that you use for your daily cleaning or your favorite perfume, which is your most prized possession. Pets, dust mites, mold and pollen are some of the other most common triggers of an asthma attack. Let us find out why this cold weather and other triggers can take a severe toll on the people suffering with asthma and how we can deal with it in the best way this season
What triggers Asthma and what to do about it?
Cold Air: Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition caused by severe inflammation of the airways which causes severe symptoms like coughing, tightness in the chest, wheezing sound while breathing and severe shortness of breath. The winters can be a danger to the asthma sufferers. Cold air is one of the main reasons for the onset of asthma symptoms. Upper respiratory infections or allergic colds only worsen the condition. Cold air as such is not responsible for causing cold. Nevertheless, it does affect our respiratory system. Our respiratory system is layered with a thin layer of mucus. The tiny hair in our nostrils which hold some of the mucus, traps harmful particles and organisms and protect our lungs. In the normal condition, the mucus is in constant motion and removes the undesirable particles out of our respiratory system. Cold air alters the effectiveness of the mucus layer, making it thicker. The fluidity of the mucus keeps undesirable particles away from reaching the lungs, and as it gets thicker it tends to trap more of impurities and makes it harder to remove them from the respiratory system, causing severe infections.
When we breathe in the cold air, there are tiny blood vessels in our nose, which warm the air. There is a rush of blood to the nose and nose tissues swells. This is why our noses sometimes turn red in winters. Cold air makes the mucus abundant and thicker, thus causing nasal congestion and stuffiness.
Things to do:
- Keep yourself warm and well covered with winter clothing most of the time throughout the winter season.
Indoor Air Quality:
People tend to spend more time indoors during winter, which may result in them spending more time surrounded by indoor allergens. Indoor air quality is worse in winters than in any other season. Allergies usually prove to be one of the biggest triggers of asthma attacks.
Closed doors and sealed windows prevent air circulation and lead to accumulation of allergens. Asthma attacks are usually triggered by allergen such as mold growing on your curtains or tiny dust mites that live in rugs, pillows, blankets, carpets, pets or even your chil's stuffed toys. However, they can be kept under control.
Things to do:
- Clean the surfaces affected by mold and mildew thoroughly.
- Leave the doors and windows open to allow moisture to escape.
- Bathe pets regularly and wipe them thoroughly.
- Keep furniture surfaces clean. Using electrostatic dust cloths is useful as they trap dust particles instead of shoving them into the air or on to the carpets.
- Keep the pillows, bed sheets and mattresses covered properly.
- Frequently wash the bed sheets, throw away old rugs, blankets and stuffed toys.
Exercise:
Exercise too can induce asthma and act as a trigger. Precautions need to be taken regarding the types of exercises. Exercising during winters can be an extra challenge because of the effect of cold air on the respiratory system.
Things to do:
- Try to breathe through the nose as much as possible.
- Use cold-weather masks while doing aerobic exercises during winter.
Smoking:
Smoking worsens asthma symptoms. It can induce coughing, wheezing and suffocation and increases the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, immediately triggering asthma attacks.
Things to do:
- If you are a smoker yourself, try to quit the habit, as smoking increases the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, immediately triggering asthma attacks.
- Stay away from the family members or colleagues who smoke as second-hand smoking can also trigger asthma attacks.
Respiratory infections:
Cold, flu, bronchitis and sinusitis caused by viral and bacterial infections can trigger asthma. These infections cause the inflammation of the mucus membrane of the bronchia thus causing narrowing of the respiratory tube. This in turn can cause intense coughing, wheezing sound and suffocation.
Things to do:
- Wash hands thoroughly, use clean handkerchiefs and towels.
- Maintain cleanliness to avoid cross contamination.
Other factors:
The other factors include irritants like smoke from burning wood, charcoal, strong odors of perfume and chemical fumes. Stress and anxiety can also trigger asthma attacks.
Things to do:
- Smoke: Avoid sitting near to the fireplace and any other house warmers that use wood or charcoal. Try to avoid inhaling chemical fumes from house cleaners and detergents.
- Stress: As previously mentioned stress is one of the important triggers to asthma attack. Asthmatics should reduce stress by first identifying the stressors and then avoiding them. Relaxation exercises like yoga, Pranayama and other breathing exercises could also help.
Taking proper medication: To successfully control asthma you need to take prescribed medications on time. Ask your doctor what medication to take and what to avoid in order prevent medication-related asthma flare-ups.
Asthma doesn't have a cure and the best way to avoid asthma is to effectively control it. The given information can be used along with the medication plan to help you properly manage the allergies and asthma. The best way to prevent asthma attack is to avoid all the triggers which you have identified earlier and devise mitigating procedures to control these triggers.
Note: Please consult your Doctor for more details and guidance. This is just for the general awareness of the readers
Best Regards
Prakash Nair
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