Winter Asthma: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Winter can be a cause for trouble for people with asthma. The freezing, dry air of the winter season can trigger more frequent or severe asthma symptoms. This condition, known as winter asthma, can lead to an overall decline in respiratory health.

This article explores the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis process of winter asthma and provides the best tips to manage asthma in the winter successfully.

What is Winter Asthma? 

Asthma, also known as bronchial asthma, is a chronic medical condition that affects the lungs. It can cause a person’s airways to narrow and swell and produce extra mucus, causing breathing difficulties, excessive coughing, and shortness of breath.

For many individuals, there is a direct link between asthma and winter. Their symptoms get worse during the winter. Winter Asthma is this condition in which a person’s asthma gets worse during the cold winter season.

Certain factors cause the airways to swell, which can trigger an asthma attack. Cold air is a common trigger for people with asthma. The cold weather and more time spent indoors make winter especially difficult for individuals with asthma.

How Does Winter Affect Asthma? 

The following aspects of the winter season can result in cold weather asthma:

1. Low Temperatures and Cold Air: Cold air causes the fluid lining the airways to evaporate faster than it can be replaced, thus resulting in dry airways. Dry airways can become swollen or irritated, which makes it harder to breathe. Cold air also causes muscles around the airways to clamp down, making it difficult for air to pass through.
2. Dry Air: Air tends to get drier during the winter, irritating the airways.
3. Flu Season: Winter causes an uptick in cold and flu cases. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, which are common asthma triggers, especially for children.
4. Indoor Allergies: The indoors can be full of various allergy triggers, such as dust mites, pet dander, and tobacco smoke. The cold weather during winter means that people spend more time indoors, increasing exposure to indoor allergens that may cause a respiratory attack.

What are the Risk Factors of Winter Asthma?

Winter asthma affects people who have asthma of any age. Asthma from cold is more likely in people who:

1. Have allergies
2. Are exposed to tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke
3. Are female

What are the Causes of Winter Asthma?

The exact causes for why some people develop asthma while others do not are not yet clear. Certain factors can increase the risk of developing asthma.

Winter asthma causes include:

1. Allergies: People with allergies are often at higher risk of developing asthma.
2. Genetic Factors: A family history of asthma or allergies increases a person’s chances of developing asthma.
3. Environmental Factors: Environmental factors such as exposure to allergens, smoke, toxins, and fumes can irritate the airways and increase the risk of asthma. These factors are especially harmful for infants and children as their immune systems are underdeveloped.
4. Respiratory Infections: Respiratory infections like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may damage the developing lungs of young children.

What are the Symptoms of Winter Asthma?

Winter asthma symptoms can include:

1. Shortness of breath
2. Coughing
3. Wheezing
4. Chest tightness
5. Difficulty in speaking

How is Winter Asthma Diagnosed? 

To diagnose asthma, a healthcare provider may begin with a medical history review, including a review of the individual’s parents and siblings. The provider may look for any history of allergies or other lung diseases. They will also ask the individual about any symptoms they are experiencing.

Other asthma tests may include spirometry, which measures airflow in the lungs, a chest X-ray, a blood test, or a skin test.

How to Manage Winter Asthma?

While asthma is a chronic condition and cannot be cured, certain steps can be taken to control and reduce the symptoms of an asthma attack.

The following measures can help manage asthma during winter:

1. Limit exposure to cold air by staying indoors and wearing scarves to cover the nose and mouth.
2. Use humidifiers to add moisture to the winter air in living spaces.
3. Use saline nasal sprays to moisten dried-out nasal passages.
4. Take precautions to avoid viral infections. Wash hands frequently, avoid touching the face, and avoid direct contact with people with the flu.
5. Keep up with any asthma medication prescribed by a doctor.

In The End

Many people’s asthma can worsen during the winter. However, it is possible to manage winter asthma with proper asthma care. In case of signs of winter asthma, consult a healthcare professional and book a lung test at Dr Lal PathLabs.

FAQs

Which factors can trigger an asthma attack besides a cold?

Asthma attacks can be triggered by tobacco smoke, strong scents, exercise, bacterial and viral infections, and allergens such as pollen, mould, and dust mites.

Can asthma be cured?

There is no cure for asthma. However, proper medication and lifestyle choices can help manage symptoms.