{"id":1462,"date":"2015-02-04T07:00:26","date_gmt":"2015-02-04T07:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxygenworldwide.wordpress.com\/?p=1462"},"modified":"2023-05-08T09:42:21","modified_gmt":"2023-05-08T09:42:21","slug":"extreme-weather-can-trigger-your-asthma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/extreme-weather-can-trigger-your-asthma\/","title":{"rendered":"Extreme Weather Can Trigger Your Asthma"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"thunderstorms\"
bad weather and how it triggers attacks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For most people, if their asthma is managed properly and under control then the weather should not have much of an effect, however for others extreme weather conditions can bring on symptoms and organisations suggest extra thought and care is taken before heading out in it.
\nChanges in temperature of the air within your airways can cause inflammation, for most this is not a problem as the nose controls humidity and temperature. With people who suffer from asthma, they tend to breathe more through the mouth and irritants, pollutants and pollen are more of a factor and many already have inflammed airways. The more severe the asthma, the more likely it is that the weather will affect them.
\nCommon weather triggers include:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Cold air can cause constriction of airways.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Wind and rain-Rainfall can increase and stir up mould spores, and wind can blow around pollen and mould.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Heat-increased ozone from smog, exhaust fumes, and pollutants tend to be higher. Dry hot air can also trigger asthma.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Lightning-Thunderstorms, which can generate ozone, are now thought of as an asthma trigger.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Air pressure fluctuations-Barometric pressure can trigger sinus episodes and sinusitis is a common asthma trigger.
\nCold Winter Air:
\n75% of asthma sufferers say that cold air can trigger asthmatic symptoms. The advice is to ensure that you are managing your asthma and taking any prescribed medication. Just as important is to be prepared. Check the forecast and make sure you carry your inhaler with you, wrap up warm and dry and wrap a scarf around your nose and mouth and try breathing more through your nose and it will help to dehumidify and warm the air up.
\nRemember that the difference between inside and outside temperature can be a factor so even going in and out of heated shops, or going from a nightclub or pub out into the cold air are all times when you need to look after yourself.
\nExercise is very beneficial for people with asthma as it can help improve lung function and improve fitness but over three quarters of people with asthma have told Asthma UK that exercise in colder weather is a trigger for their condition. This is mainly due to the fact that during aerobic exercise you would inhale more of the cold air, breathing it in through your mouth (which means that it is not warmed or moistened by your nose) and breathe it more deeply into your lungs.
\nThere are many things you can do to maintain your exercise regime but avoid the triggers.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Exercising indoors or at a gym or gym classes instead of venturing outside.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Warm up and warm down for 10-15 mins before and after outside exercise.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Dress appropriately with a scarf around your throat and nose.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0If symptoms begin stop exercising immediately, take your inhaler and wait until you feel better before you resume.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Consider more moderate exercise that will reduce the need for such deep breaths like a power walk instead of a run or a more gentle bike ride.
\nWhen it is cold many avoid going outside to try and avoid the triggers, however spending more time indoors exposes you to more triggers within the home such as pet hair, smoke, dust mites, fireplaces etc. Many sufferers prepare themselves for this and from being out in the cold by having a back-up home oxygen supply to use when the cold weather has triggered off a bad asthma attack.
\nThunderstorms:
\nMore recently it has become apparent that thunderstorms can trigger serious asthma attacks, especially children and young adults, with large numbers of people needing to go to A&E.
\nIt is not fully understood why this happens, but it is thought during a thunderstorm, the windy conditions cause high levels of pollen and mould spores to be swept up high into the air where the moisture breaks them into much smaller pieces. As the pollen and mould particles then settle back down, these smaller pieces of pollen and mould can be breathed into the smaller airways of the lungs where they irritate the airway and trigger asthma symptoms.
\nNot all thunderstorms trigger asthma, it seems to depend upon the time of year, the humidity, wind, air pressure and whether ozone levels are high.
\nThe advice is to be aware of weather forecasts, try to avoid being caught outside in them and make sure you carry your inhaler.
\nReferences:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/asthma and http:\/\/www.asthma.org.uk\t\t<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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