Tips for avoiding Asthma attacks in winter

When we have an asthma attack, the inflammation causes the airways in our lungs to narrow and our body produces more mucus. It can make us feel short of breath, as if we can’t get enough air, and can also cause shortness of breath and coughing as related symptoms. Exposure to cold weather causes cold air to enter the airways. This increases the possibility of an asthma attack. When we breathe cold and dry air, the lining tends to evaporate faster than when we breathe air at room temperature. Dry air makes the airways easily inflamed and irritated, making asthma symptoms worse.

Symptoms of a winter Asthma attack
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Wheezing
A feeling of tightness in the chest
Coughing
Difficulty speaking

Why does asthma become worse in winter?
People often find that their asthma symptoms worsen in the winter. This is because there are many asthma triggers at this time of year, including:
cold weather
colds and flu
dust mites
chest infections
damp and mold
central heating, open fires and wood-burning stoves

Tips to reduce asthma symptoms in winter

1. Keep indoor conditions cool and dry
   If dust mites are a trigger, keep your home cool and dry to present the mites with a hostile environment for growth, such as using an exhaust fan.
2. Practice deliberate nose breathing
   Breathing through your nose warms the air more effectively than mouth breathing, so extreme cold air is well moderated before it reaches your lungs.
3. Take your medication as prescribed
   Always use your preventer inhaler as directed by your doctor and take your reliever inhaler with you at the first sign of symptoms.
4. Understand your asthma triggers
   Although it may take time and trial and error to identify the triggers that trigger your asthma attacks, your knowledge of them is a powerful weapon in your asthma management efforts.
5. Protect yourself from colds and flu
   Winter is also prime time for respiratory illnesses like colds and the flu, which can cause additional asthma problems, so consider getting a flu shot and extra hand washing to reduce your risk.