Struggling with a chronic respiratory ailment like asthma in itself is a challenge. Can you imagine mixing frigid and unrelenting weather into the equation and further worsening the situation? Believe it or not, the weather, especially the air around you, has direct impacts on your asthma.
For those living with asthma, managing symptoms is a daily reality, often involving medication, trigger avoidance, and careful planning. This includes the weather you are surrounding yourself with. Dramatic shifts in the weather sometimes have irreparable impacts on the asthma symptoms.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma or know someone who has and want to understand how weather changes affect symptoms, read on for all the insights.
What is Asthma?
Asthma, as previously pointed out, is a chronic respiratory disease. In this condition, the airways, including the bronchi and bronchioles, are persistently inflamed and hypersensitive. This, in turn, leads to difficulty in breathing, which can be further worsened due to triggers, including weather changes.
Some of the physiological responses tied to triggers and asthma are:
- Bronchoconstriction
- Increased mucus production
- Swelling of the airway lining
These triggers and complications lead to the classic “Asthma Symptoms,” including:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Coughing, etc.
Depending on the trigger and how the patient manages it, the complications can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening.
To stay informed about the air around you, especially during weather changes, you can use your iPhone’s built-in tools—here’s a guide that explains how.
What is the Connection Between Weather Changes and Asthma?
The weather doesn’t necessarily have a direct impact on the patient’s asthma. However, dramatic shifts in the weather can act as a potential trigger, further worsening the symptoms.
The following are a few mechanisms worth noting:
1. Experiencing Direct Airway Irritation
There are certain atmospheric conditions and weather patterns, such as cold, dry air or hot, humid air, that impact the airways, causing irritation and inflammation and further worsening asthma symptoms. In severe cases, it can lead to bronchoconstriction, causing a choking sensation and difficulty breathing.
2. Changes in Allergens in the Air
Weather shifts and patterns have a significant impact on the concentration of allergens in the air. So, the distribution of airborne pollutants and allergens, such as pollen and mold spores, can further exacerbate one’s asthma, leading to complications.
3. Changes in Air Pollutant Levels
Not just the allergens, even the amount of air pollutants in the air can trigger the asthma symptoms to worsen. Factors like the ozone and particulate matter in the air are common triggers that affect the asthma symptoms over time.
4. Physiological Stress
Rapid or extreme weather changes can place physiological stress on the body, potentially making the airways more reactive.
Keep in mind that every asthma patient is different, and how their body reacts to changes in the weather and environment is also different. So, while some people might experience complications from all of these triggers, others may not.
How Does Cold Weather Affect Asthma?
If you are diagnosed with asthma, cold and dry weather is possibly the worst combination for your symptoms. The frigid weather has been scientifically proven to worsen bronchoconstriction, irritating the sensitive lining of the respiratory tract and causing inflammation, further deteriorating the asthma symptoms.
Some of the typical asthma symptoms that you might experience during cold weather are:
- Tight chest
- Coughing, especially during exercise
- Increased use of rescue inhalers
- Difficulty in breathing
The key is to embrace preventative measures when the cold weather sets in. Consider wearing a scarf or mask over your nose and mouth, using humidifiers inside the house, and always avoiding cold weather exposure, especially during early mornings and late nights.
How Does Hot Weather Affect Asthma?
Much like cold weather, hot weather also has an impact on your asthma. Elevated temperatures, especially in urban areas where pollution is also worse, can lead to higher ozone levels and poorer air quality.
This, in turn, increases the levels of pollutants, allergens, and smog in the air, which are common triggers of asthma flare-ups, making it difficult for the patient to breathe freely.
Some of the typical hot weather-induced triggers are:
- Dehydration can thicken mucus
- Increased levels of pollen and pollutants
- Smog and ozone exposure
- Excessive sweating leading to mold growth
During the summer months, when the weather is hot and dry, prioritize drinking water and staying hydrated. Monitor the indoor air quality and avoid stepping out of your home during the peak heat hours.
How Does Humidity Impact Asthma?
Besides hot and cold weather, another environmental trigger for asthma that warrants discussion is humidity.
When there is high humidity in the air around you, it makes the air feel heavy and makes it harder to breathe. Not just that, consistently elevated humidity and moisture in the air can lead to risks of mold, dust mites, and bacterial growth, among other things.
Does that mean that low humidity is good for asthma? Well, not really. When the moisture in the air is low, it can dry out the nasal passages and respiratory tract, which can worsen the inflammation.
So, if you have asthma, the ideal humidity to surround yourself with is between 30% and 50%. If the humidity is high, use a dehumidifier; if it is low, use a humidifier to regulate the moisture in your surroundings.
What is the “Thunderstorm Asthma” Phenomenon?
Thunderstorm asthma is a rare but dangerous weather-triggered asthma attack that can occur when stormy weather leads to a sudden surge in airborne allergens.
During thunderstorms, pollen grains are ruptured, leading to smaller and more breathable particles in the air, which can worsen asthma symptoms. The condition is not common, but one of the deadliest reports of this instance happened in 2016 in Melbourne, Australia, where the event led to thousands of emergency cases and several deaths.
Seasonal changes are inevitable, so while you can’t do anything to “control” the weather, you have to be on top of the preventive measures to ensure that your asthma symptoms don’t get worse.
Final Words
The influence of weather on your asthma flare-ups is relatively high, contributing to either mild or life-threatening symptoms. Whether it’s the dry and cold weather or the hot and humid weather, your asthma is bound to get worse either way. So, the key is to follow the relevant preventive measures not only to manage the symptoms but also to prevent common challenges that can come with the condition.
