Does your asthma get worse in winter?

By Liz Connor

Have you noticed that the sudden drop in temperature makes your asthma symptoms worse?

Looking after your respiratory health is important at any time of the year – and especially so this winter, with the ongoing spread of Covid-19 to factor in too.

Asthma can be harder to control during winter months for a few reasons. Ruth Morrow, a respiratory nurse specialist from the Asthma Society of Ireland says people often find their unwelcome asthma symptoms flaring up at this time of year because there are more triggers lurking around.

“Changes to the temperature and cold air are a very common trigger for people with asthma and they can affect the airways, causing them to narrow,” says Morrow.

Then there’s all those cold and flu viruses going around. A cold or respiratory tract infection can exacerbate symptoms for people with asthma.

“Both of these triggers can irritate and inflame the airways, increasing the risk of someone with asthma having a potentially life-threatening asthma attack,” says Jessica Kirby, head of health advice at Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation.

“If you suspect that you are having an asthma attack, immediate action should be taken,” says Morrow. “If your asthma is getting worse, it usually happens gradually over a few days, but can sometimes come out of the blue.

“Signs that your asthma is getting worse include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, feeling too breathless to talk, walk, sleep or eat, your lips turning blue and waking up during the night or earlier in the morning,” Morrow adds.

If you do notice any of these signs that your asthma is getting worse, don’t ignore them – it’s really important to see medical advice so you can make sure you have an action plan in place.

There are a few things people with asthma can do to keep themselves as healthy as possible through winter.

 

Manage your asthma properly

“To do this, you should take your medication as prescribed, carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times and ensure you know how to use them correctly,” Morrow says.

“If you’re using your reliever inhaler more than twice a week, please speak to your healthcare professional as this may be an indication that your condition is not controlled and you may be at risk of an asthma attack,” she stresses.

 

Dress for the chilly weather

There are easy ways you can alleviate cold air from triggering your asthma too. This includes dressing appropriately for the season and keeping warm, especially when you go outside.

“Wrap a scarf around your nose and mouth, as this will both heat and humidify the air, making breathing easier,” Morrow advises.

 

Crank up the heating

Keep your house warm too. “It’s important to stay warm during the winter months, but make sure your home is well ventilated. If wind and rain trigger your respiratory condition, keep windows closed on particularly bad days,” Morrow adds.

 

Breathe in through your nose

This one is tricky to master, but can make all the difference. “Try to breathe in through your nose as much as possible, instead of through your mouth,” says Morrow. “This will help to heat the air before it reaches your lungs.”