Coping with Winter Asthma

Chilly winters often invite cold, cough, and sore throats. These problems do not allow the proper respiratory function of the body and block the respiratory pathway which results in breathing problems. Asthma is one of the diseases that affect the lungs and airways. In winters the Asthma patients have to be extra careful as they are vulnerable. Every Asthma patient knows that some triggers can cause a flare-up. These triggers can cause the formation of mucus and make the patient wheeze, cough, and struggle to breathe. Since cold air is dry which makes airways irritated and swollen and that worsens asthma symptoms. During winters our body produces more mucus than normal that makes it more prone to infections.

Some of the ways Asthma patients can manage in winters are:

• Air filters to be replaced: Modern houses have good heating systems that can keep the entire house warm with minimal effort and cost, but extra filters are also required that keep the junk out from the indoor air and keeps the air quality good. The change in seasons from fall to winter makes it the best time to change the filters with a clean one that can catch up more pollutants from the air and make it cleaner.
• Staying indoors: this is the best way of staying out of infections. One should stay indoors and cover the nose and mouth area if traveling outdoors.
• Using a humidifier: Being an asthma patient and getting sick is worse. Winter is the most crucial time to take precautions and to protect one against severe symptoms. Make sure to get a flu shot early in the season, wash hands regularly, and maintain hygiene, stay away from sick people, and visit a doctor.
• Drinking warm beverages: Including more fluids in the diet makes the mucus thinner that results in fewer chances of getting sick. Some of the warm beverages include ginger tea, green tea, and fennel tea.
• Clean house regularly: a clean house with getting rid of dust which is a major trigger point for asthma patients. One must get rid of all the dust particles, especially in the blankets and mattresses.
• Exercise and work out indoors and regularly: When the temperature drops during the winters, one must follow a proper exercise regimen and follow it indoors to prevent asthma symptoms. The air in the home is more humid and better for breathing than the cold dry air outdoors.
• Follow a healthy diet plan: People with more-severe asthma can have low levels of vitamin D. some food items such as milk, eggs can be included in diet as they are all good sources of vitamin D. One can also spend some time outdoors in the sun
• Breathe Through Your Nose: One must breathe through your nose and keep the mouth closed. This is advised as the dry cold air when taken through the mouth can trigger the symptoms. But on the other side, the nose is designed in such a way that it warms the air. One can also cover the nose and mouth area with warm scarfs.

Over to you:
Winters are the most crucial time for asthma patients due to the cold dry air. Stay safe and be careful during winters!