Key Takeaways:
- Cold air is a major asthma trigger in winter because it narrows and irritates the airways.
- The most common symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing that gets worse over time.
- Asthma attacks can be prevented by avoiding known triggers, wearing warm clothes, and adhering to a regular treatment plan.
- Daily medication, either oral or administered via inhalers or nebulizers, and medications taken as prescribed, help control inflammation and prevent flare-ups.
- Having an Asthma Action Plan created with your doctor is essential for managing symptoms and knowing when to seek medical help.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by ongoing airway inflammation. This inflammation causes the airways to overreact to triggers such as pollen, exercise, or cold air. During an attack, the airways constrict (bronchospasm), become swollen, and produce excess mucus. This results in difficulty breathing, coughing, or wheezing. Without proper treatment, these flare-ups can become life-threatening.
Millions of people in the U.S. and worldwide have asthma, which can start in childhood or develop later in life. It is also known as bronchial asthma.
What are the symptoms of weather-triggered asthma?
You may observe these indications of worsening asthma in winter:
- Shortness of breath.
- Wheezing, especially when exhaling
- Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
- Coughing, whether it is dry or produces phlegm
You might have persistent asthma, with symptoms most of the time, or you might feel well between asthma episodes, which is called intermittent asthma.
What are the causes of asthma in the winter?
Experts are unsure of the exact causes of asthma. However, you might be at higher risk if you:
- Live with allergies or eczema (atopy).
- Were exposed to toxins, fumes, or second-hand and third-hand smoke (residue left behind after smoking), particularly during early life.
- Have a biological parent who has allergies or asthma.
Had repeated respiratory infections, such as RSV, during childhood.
What causes asthma symptoms to flare up in winter?
Asthma triggers are factors that cause or worsen asthma symptoms. You may have one or multiple triggers. Common examples include:
- Allergies include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and various other airborne allergens.
- Cold air: especially during winter.
- Exercise: particularly intense physical activities and cold-weather sports
- Mold: even if you do not have allergies
- Occupational exposures: include sawdust, flour, glues, latex, and building materials.
- Respiratory infections: colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses
- Smoke: smoking, second-hand smoke, thirdhand smoke
- Stress: either physical or emotional.
- Strong chemicals or odors: include perfumes, nail polish, household cleaners, and air fresheners.
- Toxins in the air: factory emissions, car exhaust, wildfire smoke.
- Asthma triggers: can cause an attack immediately or may take hours or days to trigger after exposure.
Can cold air trigger asthma?
When someone with asthma inhales cold, dry air, it cools and dries the airway lining, triggering mediator release and reflex bronchoconstriction in people with airway hyperresponsiveness, leading to cough, wheeze, and shortness of breath. This irritates the airway lining further, resulting in coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
Cold air can trigger asthma symptoms and exacerbate flare-ups, especially when the air is dry. For many people with asthma, the dryness in cold air can cause breathing difficulties. Windy, freezing conditions can also activate symptoms. Typically, the more severe your asthma, the more likely cold air is to influence your condition.
How do doctors diagnose asthma?
An allergist or pulmonologist diagnoses asthma by reviewing your symptoms and performing lung function tests. They will ask about your personal and family medical history. It is helpful to tell them what triggers your asthma and any factors that alleviate your symptoms.
Tests
Your provider might assess your lung function and exclude other conditions with:
- Allergy blood tests or skin tests: These can help identify if an allergy is triggering your asthma symptoms.
- Blood count: Providers can monitor eosinophil and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and modify treatment if these are elevated. Elevated eosinophils and IgE are associated with specific types of asthma.
- Spirometry: This simple lung function test measures how efficiently air flows through your lungs.
- Chest X-rays or CT scans: These imaging tests can help your provider identify the cause of your symptoms.
- A peak flow meter: It measures the extent of airway restriction during specific activities.
What is the most effective way to manage asthma?
The most effective way to manage asthma is to avoid known triggers and take medications to keep your airways clear. Your doctor may prescribe:
- Maintenance inhalers: typically include inhaled steroids that reduce inflammation. Occasionally, they are combined with various bronchodilators, which help open your airways.
- A rescue inhaler: is a fast-acting device used during an asthma attack. It contains a bronchodilator that rapidly opens your airways.
- A nebulizer: delivers a fine mist of medication via a mask placed over your face. You may prefer a nebulizer over an inhaler for specific medicines.
- Leukotriene modifiers: Your doctor may prescribe a daily medication to help control asthma symptoms and lower the risk of an attack.
- Oral steroids: Your provider may prescribe a short course of oral steroids to manage a flare-up.
- Antihistamines: Your doctor may recommend antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), or other allergy medicines if you have allergic asthma.
- Biologic therapy: such as monoclonal antibodies, can assist in managing severe asthma.
- Bronchial thermoplasty: If other treatments fail, your doctor may recommend bronchial thermoplasty. During this procedure, a pulmonologist applies heat to decrease the muscles surrounding your airways.
What steps can you take to reduce symptoms if winter weather worsens your asthma?
- Restrict outdoor exercise: Exercise indoors or at the gym.
- Wrap a scarf: to help warm the air you breathe.
- Use humidifiers: in your home and keep them free of mold.
- Wash your hands: often. Washing with soap for 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer when outdoors can help prevent winter illnesses.
- Be aware of your hands: Keep them away from your face and eyes to prevent the spread of germs.
- Get the flu vaccine: in early fall. Stay current on COVID-19 vaccines.
- Have an Asthma Action Plan: ready. Know what steps to take during a flare-up.
- Limit your time around pets: if you’re allergic to pet dander. Keep your bedroom free of pets.
- Keep your home cool and dry: to prevent dust mites and mold from causing your symptoms.
- Clean and replace filters: in your heating and cooling air ducts. Ensure that filters are replaced at the beginning of each season. Check them regularly to maintain optimal indoor air quality.
Living with Asthma in Winters:
Asthma tends to worsen in winter due to cold, dry air and seasonal viruses that often trigger respiratory issues. Recognizing these triggers and taking preventive measures, such as adhering to prescribed medications, staying indoors to avoid cold exposure, and maintaining good indoor air quality, can significantly reduce symptom severity. Collaborate with your healthcare provider to create a tailored Asthma Action Plan that covers prevention, medication management, and emergency steps. Staying informed, alert, and consistent with treatment helps people with asthma manage their condition more effectively and maintain healthier lungs throughout the winter.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are practical tips to prevent asthma symptoms during winter?
If cold air triggers your asthma, it’s best to stay indoors on the coldest days. Many experts recommend avoiding outdoor activities when temperatures drop below 10°F, as exposure to the cold can be hazardous. Instead, move activities like exercise indoors to a climate-controlled space. The more severe your asthma, the more likely cold air will trigger a flare-up, so follow these tips: Take your daily controller medicines as prescribed and always carry a quick-relief inhaler for your first signs of symptoms, especially when exposed to triggers like cold air, outdoor exercise, indoor allergens, or respiratory viruses. If you must be outside, loosely wrap a scarf around your nose and mouth to warm the air before it reaches your lungs. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Before engaging in outdoor cold-weather activities, consult your healthcare provider about using your quick-relief inhaler 20-30 minutes prior to activity. This is a helpful step before activities that could trigger your asthma. Stay healthy during respiratory virus season by maintaining vaccinations, practicing good hand hygiene, avoiding crowds, and wearing a mask when necessary.
What should I do if I get sick?
Follow your written asthma action plan. If you do not have one, contact your doctor to determine the necessary steps. Make sure to get enough rest and stay hydrated. Stay home to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others. Seek medical attention immediately if your symptoms become severe or worsen quickly. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, such as the common cold.
What steps can I take to feel better?
You might reduce or prevent asthma symptoms by adopting some straightforward habits. These include avoiding triggers whenever possible, keeping a symptoms journal to identify what aggravates your condition, staying physically active at a comfortable level, and consulting your healthcare provider for tailored advice. A pulmonary rehabilitation program may also be beneficial. Additionally, avoid smoking and vaping. If you experience difficulties using your inhaler or adhering to your medication regimen, please inform your healthcare provider.
What should I expect if I have asthma?
Most people with asthma can effectively manage their symptoms. Asthma control involves performing daily activities at work and home, experiencing minimal or no symptoms, rarely needing to use a rescue inhaler, sleeping through the night without asthma interruptions, and requiring oral steroids for flare-ups fewer than twice a year. Some individuals can prevent triggers and remain symptom-free most of the time, while others may need to use a maintenance inhaler or other medications alongside trigger avoidance. In children, symptoms often decrease or disappear as they grow older and their airways enlarge.
Is asthma a long-term disease?
Asthma is a long-term condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Some inflammation persists even when symptoms are not obvious. If left untreated, it can lead to recurrent attacks. Mild attacks may resolve on their own, but treatment can help accelerate recovery. Proper management also reduces the risk of future attacks. In the event of a severe attack, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Asthma can fluctuate over time, with individuals experiencing good and bad days or periods. Nonetheless, with effective treatment, it is possible to have extended symptom- and attack-free periods.
