With the arrival of cooler fall and winter months, Asthma Canada and the Lung Health Foundation are urging the 4.6 million Canadians living with asthma to take proactive steps in managing their condition. This call to action is part of the “Break Breathlessness: Press Play on Life” campaign.
Asthma-related hospital visits often increase during the fall and winter as symptoms can worsen due to cold air, respiratory infections, and indoor allergens. By taking the right precautions, people with asthma can lower their risk of exacerbations and maintain better health throughout the season.
5 Essential Tips for Managing Asthma During the Cooler Months:
- Update Your Asthma Action Plan: Schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional to review and update your written Asthma Action Plan. This personalized guide helps you recognize changes in your symptoms and outlines specific actions to prevent and manage flare-ups.
- Take Your Controller Medication as Prescribed: Follow your healthcare professional’s instructions and take your controller medication daily, even when you feel well, to keep your asthma under control.
- Always Carry Your Reliever Inhaler: Keep your reliever (rescue inhaler) medication with you at all times in case an asthma exacerbation (attack) occurs.
- Identify and Avoid Your Asthma Triggers:
- Indoor Triggers: During winter, people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, increasing exposure to common asthma triggers. Some of the most prevalent indoor triggers include pet dander, dust mites, mold, and fumes from open fires or wood-burning stoves. To reduce exposure, consider the following:
- Use an Air Purifier: An air purifier with a HEPA filter can help remove allergens like dust mites and pet dander from the air in your home.
- Regular Cleaning: Dust and vacuum frequently to minimize dust mites and pet dander. Wash bedding and curtains in hot water to kill dust mites.
- Control Humidity: Keep indoor humidity levels between 30-50% using a dehumidifier to reduce mold growth.
- Avoid Open Fires: If possible, limit the use of open fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and candles, as smoke and fumes can aggravate asthma symptoms.
- Outdoor Triggers: Cold air and certain molds are common during the cooler months. Sudden exposure to cold air can cause the airways to constrict, leading to wheezing and difficulty breathing. To protect yourself:
- Indoor Triggers: During winter, people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, increasing exposure to common asthma triggers. Some of the most prevalent indoor triggers include pet dander, dust mites, mold, and fumes from open fires or wood-burning stoves. To reduce exposure, consider the following:
- Dress Warmly: Always cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or mask when going outside to warm the air before it enters your lungs.
- Monitor Outdoor Conditions: Check air quality and mold spore levels in your area, especially if you are sensitive to outdoor allergens. On days when air quality is poor, limit outdoor activities.
- Avoid Outdoor Activities: If the weather is particularly cold, windy, or damp, consider staying indoors to reduce the risk of an asthma attack.
- Get Vaccinated: Many asthma exacerbations are triggered by colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses. Up to 80% of asthma-related visits in children are due to respiratory viruses. It is particularly important for young children, the elderly, and those with severe asthma to get vaccinated. Consult your healthcare professional about the appropriate vaccines for you.
Following these essential tips will help you break breathlessness and press play on life.
Learn more about taking control of your asthma at asthma.ca.
