Winter is notorious for cold, dry air which can be a dreary time for most people. However, for those who suffer from asthma, this time of year can make their symptoms worse. Winter can also increase their chances of having an asthma attack. To keep a handle on your asthma symptoms and attacks, here are a few tips to help.
Wash Your Hands
Washing your hand properly and frequently with warm water and soap is the best way to prevent catching or spreading a cold or any other type of virus. If you are unable to get to a sink to wash your hands, then alcohol-based hand sanitizers or moist towelettes will do the trick as well. Also, by instructing your children or other young people about the importance of handwashing, it can help much more with stopping the spread of viruses.
Get Your Flu Shot
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people ages six and older get a flu shot each year to help protect them from the flu. Having asthma does not make your chances of getting the flu more, it will just make the results worse if you do contract the virus even if you have your symptoms under control. It is recommended that those with asthma get the vaccine that is injected into you made from an inactive version of the virus.
Exercise Indoors
When the weather outside is bitterly cold and the wind makes it feel less than zero, then going outside to exercise is not ideal and going to a gym would be the better option. The temperature and the humidity in the gym is less likely to cause you to have an asthma attack than if you were to go outside for a run or any other exercise. If you must go outside to exercise, it is recommended that you choose a time of day that would be the warmest.
Take Steps to Prevent Asthma Flares
In order to prevent asthma flares this winter, there is a simple thing that you can do. Take a preventive dose of your asthma medication before you head outside into bitterly cold temperatures whether you are going to exercise, walk your dog, or simply run some errands. Also, bringing your inhaler along with you is important as it can help open your airways and give you some extra protection.
Take Your Medication
Working with your doctor in order to create a good medication plan that works for you and that will provide you with the most benefits as well as making sure to continue to go to your regular checkups are both important year-round but especially during the winter months. If your asthma symptoms get worse during the winter, then work with your doctor to see if you can change your medications a little in order to give you the best treatment possible.
Make sure you are taking control of your asthma especially when it is bitterly cold outside as it can make your symptoms worse. By taking these tips with you and making some of the small changes, it can help you take control of your asthma during the winter months.