Summer is the best time of year to explore and spend time outdoors. However, if you have asthma, you will want to take extra precautions while planning your next adventure – so that an asthma attack doesn’t turn your vacation into a nightmare.
Severe asthma attacks can cause your airways to swell and narrow, which further results in breathing difficulty. Let’s talk about what you can avoid this summer in order to prevent an asthma attack, and who you can talk to about keeping your condition under control.
How Can I Prevent Summer Asthma Attacks?
Below are a few of the most common summertime asthma triggers, and tips on how to avoid them:
Hot Air
The summer sun can easily cause the temperature to soar. Hot air and high humidity levels may trigger an asthma attack. If a person with asthma breathes in hot, moist air, their airways can narrow, leading to shortness of breath and coughing.
How to Prevent an Attack: The outdoors may not be the best place for you to be during a scorching day. Consider staying in an air-conditioned room where your surroundings may be more cool, dry, and refreshing. Talk to your doctor about whether you should buy a dehumidifier in order to keep the humidity in your home at a low level.
Physical Exercise
There are a lot of fun activities that you can enjoy during the summer, but some of these may be strenuous. Remember that a heavy workout or an intensive physical activity may trigger an asthma attack.
How to Prevent an Attack: Consider what activities tend to trigger an asthma attack. For strenuous activities, your doctor may advise you to start your workout or exercise with a slow and gradual warm-up. Swimming is an excellent activity for patients with asthma because it is in a cool environment and is no-impact exercise. Keep in mind that the strong scent of chlorine may trigger your asthma.
Outdoor Allergens
Staying outdoors exposes your body to allergens that can trigger an asthma attack, such as grass pollen. During summer, most flowering plants are pollinating, thereby increasing the risk of an allergic reaction and an asthma attack.
How to Prevent an Attack: Be sure to know what allergens can trigger your asthma. If you are allergic to pollen, avoid areas that are abundant in plants and trees, especially those that are known to bear flowers. If you are planning to go away on vacation this summer, take note beforehand of the types of pollen in the area where you are considering to go.
Asthma Doctor in North Texas
Make the most of your summer. Our medical team at the Lung & Sleep Specialists of North Texas are here to help you manage your asthma this season and all year long.
If you have any questions about our medical offerings or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (817) 594-9993 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you stay in control of your asthma.
