Asthma sufferers encouraged to take precautions this winter

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

Asthma can be caused by a variety of things. From pollen to strenuous exercise, dust mites to tobacco smoke- the list goes on and on. And for some living with asthma, winter weather can easily be a force to be reckoned with.

When an asthmatic inhales something that triggers their condition, the airways can become tight and clogged with mucus. A body?s natural response to this is often to cough, wheeze and it may be hard to catch a full breath.

Exposure to cold, dry air is also among the common group of asthma triggers and can quickly cause severe symptoms. To help remedy this during cold weather, doctors recommend a few tips to help keep winter weather-related asthma symptoms at bay.

?The first thing I recommend to asthma patients is to dress properly for winter,? says Linda McDanolds, ARNP of Pulmonary Medicine at Great River Medical Center. ?Wear a scarf or something to cover your nose and mouth to help warm up the air you are breathing. And whenever possible, stay inside.?

While doctors realize staying indoors isn?t always possible, health professionals recommend doing some basic warm-up exercises indoors before venturing outdoors, especially if strenuous outdoor activity is expected. Doctors also insist that while those with asthma may not associate colder weather with a trigger of their symptoms, asthmatic triggers can be developed at any time and should be taken seriously.

?The best way to treat asthma is to know your triggers. Those with asthma should always take their symptoms seriously and take their inhalers as prescribed,? says Devan Rhum, Henry County Health Center Respiratory Therapist and Cardiopulmonary Services Director. ?Asthma, if not treated properly, can be fatal, which people don?t always realize. And if you think you could have asthma, it?s best to see a doctor.?

Now, trouble breathing in colder air does not necessarily indicate asthma, however doctors do recommend that troubled or labored breathing is not a healthy bodily response, and should be reported to a doctor. In addition, if an asthma sufferer believes his or her treatment methods are no longer effective, it?s important to meet with a doctor to re-evaluate treatment options.

?Much like allergies, asthma itself can be developed at any time in a person?s life, and environmental factors do play a huge role in that,? says Rhum. ?Everyone who has asthma reacts differently to different types of triggers, which is why it?s better to be checked for asthma if you think you have it.?