Does the weather make your asthma worse? Let's talk about this!

Do you have asthma? Or maybe someone in your family, maybe even your best friend, has this condition. Actually, this asthma can be a bit annoying sometimes, right? It's very uncomfortable when you suddenly have difficulty breathing, when your chest feels like it's constricting. What many people probably don't even think about is that the weather around us, whether it's sunny, rainy, or cold, can also affect our asthma. So, today we'll talk about the relationship between this weather and asthma, how it affects us, and what we should do in such a situation.

Yes, weather can affect asthma!

Simply put, yes. For some people with asthma, weather conditions and sudden changes in the weather can trigger asthma symptoms or cause an asthma flare-up . You may have noticed that some children's asthma worsens at certain times of the year. For others, a sudden change in the weather, such as a big storm, can also cause an asthma flare-up.

Imagine this, you have a friend, let's say her name is Nimali. Nimali has asthma . She has noticed that on some days, especially on colder mornings, she finds it a little difficult to breathe. She says that her chest feels tight on those days. This is one example of what we call weather affecting asthma.

What weather conditions aggravate asthma?

Now let's look at the main weather conditions that make it difficult for someone with asthma and aggravate asthma.

Cold, dry air

This is one of the most common causes of asthma. When we breathe in cold, dry air, our airways, or breathing passages, dry out and become constricted, meaning they become blocked. This can lead to breathing difficulties and coughing. This can be a big problem, especially for those who play sports in the winter and those who have exercise-induced asthma . This is because when you run or jump on a cold day, the cold air rushes into your body.

Warm, humid air

Not only cold, but for some people , hot, humid air is also bad for asthma. It can also make it difficult to breathe. Also, in some areas, high heat, sunlight, and various things like smoke and dust in the air (we call them pollutants) combine to create a gas called ground-level ozone . This is not the ozone layer in the sky that protects us from the sun's rays. This is a harmful gas that forms at ground level. This is very harmful to people with asthma and can be a strong irritant. Similarly, smoke from forest fires can also make it very difficult for people with asthma.

Wet and windy weather

Rainy days, which means wet weather , and also windy weather can affect asthma. How do you know? Wet weather increases the growth of mold . This mold is a type of small fungus, and when its spores are added to the air, we can get asthma if we breathe it in. Also, when there is strong wind, not only these mold spores, but also things like pollen are blown far into the air. These are also the main allergens that aggravate asthma.

How do I know exactly if the weather affects my asthma?

Do you think the weather can affect your asthma? If you suspect this, the best thing to do is talk to your doctor about it. He or she can help you. Doctors usually recommend keeping an "asthma symptoms and trigger diary" for this purpose. It's very simple. All you have to do is write down the days when your asthma flares up, what the weather was like, what you did, what you ate, and what you drank. Over time, you will begin to understand what things and weather conditions trigger your asthma. It's like being a detective, trying to figure out what causes your asthma.

For example, you can record the weather (cold, hot, rainy, windy) every morning, afternoon, and evening, your asthma symptoms ( shortness of breath , cough, chest tightness), and the medications you take. After about a month, you should see a good pattern.

Also, if you think your asthma is getting worse due to pollen, mold, or other allergens, ask your doctor about allergy testing . This test can help you find out exactly what you're allergic to. It can then be easier to stay away from those things.

Try these tips to manage weather impacts

Okay, now let's see what we can do to manage, or improve, the condition if it's air quality or weather that's affecting your asthma.

• Stay up-to-date with the weather forecast: Many weather forecasts now include information that can affect your asthma, such as pollen counts and air quality. So it's important to be aware of this information before you start your day.

• Limit outdoor activities on days that are bad for you: On days when your asthma triggers are most likely to occur, such as days with lots of pollen, try to limit outdoor activities such as playing and exercising. Alternatively, choose a time of day that is least likely to trigger your asthma.

• Cover your mouth and nose on cold days: If the cold wind is making you sweat more, wear a scarf or a soft scarf that covers your mouth and nose when you go outside on very cold days. This will help the air you breathe warm up a bit and help it absorb moisture.

• Keep windows closed as much as possible: Keep your windows closed, especially during peak pollen and mold seasons. This is especially important when you're sleeping at night, as it will help reduce the amount of harmful substances entering your home.

• It's good to use air conditioning on hot days: Using an air conditioner on very hot days not only cools you down, it also dries the air and helps filter out things like dust and pollen, purifying the air you breathe. But it's also a good idea to clean the AC filter at that time.

• Keep quick-relief medicine with you at all times: This is the most important thing. Keep your quick-relief inhaler or medicine prescribed by your doctor with you at all times. This is essential to use in case of a sudden asthma attack. It is like your lifeguard.

Finally, the most important things to remember

So, you probably understand that the weather can also affect our asthma to some extent.

The most important thing is to work with your doctor to control your asthma .

Remember:

• Identify exactly what triggers your asthma, or what things make it worse. That symptom diary we talked about will be very helpful for that.
• Be aware of weather changes and plan your daily activities accordingly.
• Always keep your prescribed medications, especially quick-relief medicines , with you, and know how to use them correctly.
• If you have any questions or doubts, even if it's just a small matter, never be afraid to ask your doctor.

Living with asthma can be challenging at times. But with proper understanding, planning, and following your doctor's advice, you can manage your condition and live a comfortable life. You are not alone, we are all with you!

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Asthma, weather, difficulty breathing, respiratory diseases, asthma triggers, allergies