Close to 28 million people in the United States — children and adults alike — live with the uncomfortable and sometimes frightening symptoms of asthma, a condition that makes it harder to breathe.
If you have asthma, it’s important to keep the condition well-managed. At One Health Medical Care in Reston, Virginia, Dr. Mingliarti Tjahjana and our caring team provide comprehensive asthma action planning and medical management for patients of all ages with asthma.
Many people notice their asthma gets worse in the summer, but why? In this month’s blog, we’ll delve into the link between worsening asthma and higher temperatures and humidity.
When you suffer an asthma attack, your airways become narrow and inflamed, and you may produce a surplus of mucus, which leads to breathing problems, coughing, and wheezing.
You may also notice chest pain or tightness and exacerbated asthma symptoms during an attack if you’re also coping with a respiratory infection, like a cold or flu. Asthma can also negatively impact your sleep.
Though environmental irritants like dust and pet dander can prompt an attack, so can exercise, especially if it’s cold outside. Knowing your personal asthma triggers is a key part of effective asthma control.
Have you noticed that your asthma gets worse during the summer? If you dread the warmer months because they mean more frequent asthma attacks, you’re probably also wondering why symptoms are triggered more during the warm-weather months.
Reasons that asthma can flare up in the summer include:
Typical summer activities can also amplify asthma. Smoke from campfires, for example, can cause airway irritation and inflammation, while exertion from engaging in summer sports like running, biking, or hiking can bring on an attack — especially if you have exercise-induced asthma. Smoke from wildfires and fireworks is also problematic.
Even chlorine from swimming pools irritates some people’s airways, so it may benefit you to swim at the beach, in saltwater, instead.
Summer rainstorms can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms, especially when grass pollen and mold spore counts are high. The wind that a storm generates blows these allergens around and makes them easier to inhale.
When you work with Dr. Tjahjana to manage your asthma, she provides preventive education about steps you can take to prevent asthma attacks.
In the summer, try to stay indoors if the heat and humidity are very high, use an air conditioner with a clean HEPA filter. Stay well hydrated to help thin the mucus in your lungs and airways.
Make it a habit to check the pollen count and air quality each day during the summer, so you can do your best to stay indoors when the numbers are high. If you do spend time outdoors, shower promptly after coming inside, to get rid of pollen.
Of course, it’s critical that you’re armed with the best asthma action plan — all year round — and Dr. Tjahjana can help. She may recommend a blend of treatments that include using a spot inhaler, taking prescription asthma medications, and using allergy medications regularly.
It’s also essential to assess your home and work environments so you can lower allergy and asthma triggers accordingly, and avoid activities and places that aggravate your asthma.
Before the intense heat and humidity of the summer are upon us, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing all you can to treat your asthma and steer clear of triggers. We’re here to help.
Call 571-572-9198 to schedule a visit with Dr. Tjahjana at One Health Medical Care in Reston, Virginia, today, or use our online booking tool to book an appointment anytime.
