Asthma causes airway inflammation and makes it difficult for a person to breathe. There are several factors that can cause and trigger the symptoms of asthma. In winters, it is common for asthma patients to struggle more due to dry and cold air. As the air lacks moisture in winters, the dry air leads to tightening up the air passage. This condition is termed as cold-induced asthma. Let us take a quick look as to what exactly is cold-induced asthma along with its symptoms and causes from Dr. Vikas Maurya, Director and HOD, Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.
What is Cold-Induced Asthma?
Image credits- Asthma & Respiratory Foundation
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Asthma can simply be understood as a lung disease or a condition that makes it difficult for a person to breathe because of narrowed airways due to swelling and inflammation. This swelling and inflammation sometimes also result in producing a surplus amount of mucus. The condition of asthma is something that can be triggered due to a lot many things like changing seasons, cold weather, viruses and allergens. There are several types of asthma such as obesity-associated asthma, dust-induced asthma, allergens-induced asthma, etc. Our nose is responsible for purifying the breath and for bringing up the temperature of that air to the normal body temperature. When a person is in extremely cold weather conditions and inhales this dry chilli air, it immediately triggers the airways causing bronchial infection, further leading to asthma attacks.
Causes Of Cold-Induced Asthma
As cold air lacks humidity, it tends to dry up the airways. Those with asthma or other breathing issues, end up breathing from their mouth. When a person tends to breathe from their mouth, the air does not get humidified and neither does the temperature become similar to that of the body temperature. Due to the drying up of the airways, asthma attacks start taking place and a person might experience cough, breathing difficulty, chest tightness, whistling sound while breathing, etc.
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This tightening of lungs can sometimes result in causing the airways to spasm and hence triggers the asthma attack.
Symptoms Of Cold-Induced Asthma
Where the lungs and airways have their own way to react to the chilli dry winter air, this reaction might result in severe conditions such as asthma making way for several other complications. When it comes to conditions like asthma, it is important to look out for some early signs and symptoms and seek immediate medical assistance. Some of the most commonly observed symptoms of cold-induced asthma are-
- Chest pain
- Whistling sound while breathing
- Cough
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
Prevention Of Cold-Induced Asthma
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Usually people become aware about this condition of cold induced asthma and hence it becomes important and easier to act accordingly. Dr. Vikas Maurya suggests that there are a few preventive measures that one can take in order to safeguard themselves from this condition and to prevent the complications caused due to it such as-
- Taking asthma medications on time
- Consult doctor before taking any medication
- Keep acute drugs with you to provide relief from asthma attacks, only as suggested by the doctor
- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask or handkerchief before going out so you do not inhale cold and dry air.
- Using inhalers for asthma management before stepping out
- Avoid going outdoors when the temperature is below 10 degrees as below this temperature the risk of triggering asthma and its symptoms tends to increase.
Where there are a lot many conditions and health issues that are observed due to a change in weather conditions. Extreme climates tend to trigger various conditions and health problems including asthma. One must know that asthma can also be life threatening. In order to safeguard yourself from this condition and its complications, it is important to seek proper medical advice as soon as possible.
With inputs from Dr. Vikas Maurya, Director and HOD, Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.