Cold Air, Exercise and Asthma

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In winter, the pollen allergic breathe sighs of relief. Not so those who have asthma triggered by cold air, exercise or indoor allergens. But winter need not be a cruel season for the lungs.

How Cold Air Affects Asthma

A winter wind whips your face. What do you do? Probably squint and tear up because cold air dries out and irritates the delicate tissue of the eyes.

Asthmatics can have a similar reaction in their lungs, one that literally takes their breath away. Cold, dry air irritates hypersensitive lungs that have become inflamed, causing bronchospasm.

The muscles around the irritated bronchial tubes constrict and become even more narrow, making it difficult to breathe. An increase of mucus in the lungs also limits breathing, resulting in wheezing, coughing and tightness in the chest.

Dr. Mark Greenwald, a Toronto allergist, notes that even non-asthmatics can feel their breath catch in a frosty gust on extremely cold, dry days. “That’s what the asthmatic feels, but it’s triggered much easier and by air that’s not as cold.” He reminds, however, that with proper treatment, the asthmatic should be able to do everything the non-asthmatic can. “Be very aggressive with your asthma control,” he says.

What should you do about cold air and asthma?

You don’t want to stay inside all winter: if you are experiencing symptoms from the cold, speak to your doctor soon about altering your medication plan.
Wear a scarf loosely over your nose and mouth and breathe through your nose to warm and humidify the air you breathe. (This is easier on asthmatic lungs, reducing the likelihood of irritation.)
Keep your inhalers close to your body, since warm medication is more easily distributed into the respiratory system.

Exercise and asthma

Greenwald points out that about 20 per cent of the winter Olympic team has asthma, and if they can handle strenuous workouts, you can exercise, too! It’s a question again of managing your asthma medication plan.

Be aware that if you have exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), it can flare during the winter (even if controlled the rest of the year). This is due to the fact that when people exercise, they often breathe through their mouths rather than noses.

When the air is cold and not warmed in the nose, that can irritate sensitive lungs. In a 2001 study, British researchers found that 70 per cent of asthma patients had symptoms triggered by a combination of cold air and exercise.

What should you do about exercise and asthma?

Choose indoor activities like swimming or basketball if you find your symptoms are increasing outdoors.
Speak to your doctor as soon as possible. He/she may suggest an increased dosage in your controller/preventive medications during the winter, or add a reliever medication to your routine. Then get out and ski or skate.
Be sure to warm up and cool down slowly with vigorous activity.

Allergic Living’s Guide to Asthma

Indoor Allergens and Asthma

Studies in recent years have found that the air quality inside the average home is up to five times worse than that outside. And North Americans spend about 90 per cent of their time indoors during the winter.

Besides increasing exposure to asthma triggers such as chemicals and fumes from cleaning products, a building sealed tightly against the cold also provides an ideal environment for mold and dust mites. Add pet dander or cigarette smoke and asthma problems are compounded.

What should you do about indoor allergens and asthma?

The best defence is a clean house. Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum on furniture, drapes and floors, and dust with a damp cloth.
Never let anyone smoke in your home.
Never let anything smoke in your house either: sorry, no fire in that fireplace.

Photo: Thinkstock

Cold and Flu – Added Aggravation for Asthma

“Asthmatics are more reactive to colds,” Greenwald says. In a study of students in Denver, researchers found that an upper respiratory infection doubled the likelihood that a child would have a full-blown asthma attack, and quadrupled the chance of a general increase in symptoms. Colds and chest infections are considered the most common trigger for a majority of asthmatics.

What should you do about colds and flu and asthma?

Prevent colds and viruses by washing your hands frequently and keeping your distance from infected friends and co-workers.
If you do get sick and your asthma symptoms worsen, ask your doctor about adjusting your medication.
The good news: though still in early stages of research, British scientists found that a drug developed to treat multiple sclerosis also inhibits the replication of cold virus cells in the lungs of asthmatics. This group usually has a higher rate of replication than non-asthmatics.

Be In Control of Your Asthma

If your asthma is under control, you should not be experiencing symptoms – even on the coldest days or when exercising vigorously. Yet, a majority of asthmatics are not managing their disease well. Greenwald admonishes: “Too many still rely on emergency treatment, and that’s not the way to go.”

So if you know the cold causes you grief, speak to your doctor, amend your asthma action plan, and breathe easy.