Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease that affects the lungs by causing a narrowing of the airways. Subsequently, the person with the illness can find it hard to breathe.
According to statistics, asthma affects around 25 million Americans and causes 2 million emergency room visits each year. Therefore, it is a common disease that can affect anyone.
However, effective asthma treatment is available, and you can live a full life if you follow the doctor’s orders.
Three main types of asthma are most common among people; they are:
• Nocturnal asthma is the most frequent type of asthma in the world. Patients suffering from this type of asthma have trouble breathing, mostly at night, and may experience coughs, wheezing, or some may have chest pains.
• Exercise-induced asthma – strenuous physical exercise can cause this type of asthma. Athletes and sportspersons are at the highest risk of contracting this type of asthma. Some symptoms may include wheezing and coughing. Naturally, an inhaler would remedy this condition.
• Seasonal asthma – here, this type of asthma is mainly due to inhaling allergens. The allergens can be in the form of pollen, mold, or even dust mites. Having a preventative or reliever inhaler is essential for dealing with the condition.
As mentioned earlier, many people are at risk of getting seasonal asthma during winter. Many other people already have asthma, and the cold weather may worsen the situation.
Here are ways in which you can manage asthma during winter:
• Wear a scarf around the mouth when it is cold
Winter generally brings with it lower temperatures. That means that the cold air you are inhaling may trigger a reaction in your airways. Wearing a scarf over the mouth when outside may help warm the air you breathe.
• Breath only through the nose
Breathing through the nose can save you from the agony of an asthma attack. Your nasal passages have small hairs that trap dust particles in the air. Additionally, it has mucus, which warms up the air before reaching your lungs. Therefore, when the air is getting to the lungs, it is warmer and cleaner.
When you breathe using the mouth, you lose these two advantages. The air will be cold and unfiltered, putting you at risk.
• Get a flu shot
If you are struggling with asthma, it is always best to get a flu shot before winter begins. That is because, during winter, you might catch the flu and end up getting complications that may worsen your current condition. Flu can have severe symptoms that may trigger an asthma attack but studies have shown that the flu vaccine is effective at reducing the frequency of asthma attacks.
• Tidy up often
Your living space should be kept clean at all times. Dust particles and mold may sometimes end up contaminating the air you breathe. You may not even realize the air is infected until it is too late to do anything.
Therefore, it would be wise to replace the furnace’s filters and continuously clean the air vents in your home.
• Do some exercise
Exercises are an excellent way to warm up our bodies. However, during winter, the weather outside may not be so welcoming. Therefore, you can create a workout routine indoors.
Additionally, working out indoors has its advantages. The air in your house is more humid and much cleaner than in a gym.
You can consult a gym instructor for professional advice on the best workout routines for you.
Conclusion
Asthma treatment is available to everyone, with most doctors recommending an inhaler to help open up the airways when they begin to contract. However, prevention is always better than cure, so follow the advice above to avoid exacerbating your condition during the winter.