Asthma and Heat: Exploring the Connection

Introduction:

Summers can be a fun time for many individuals. People living in cold climates enjoy the summer season to the fullest. The season of bright sunny days and hot weather could be pleasing; however, excessively hot and humid weather may not go well for asthma patients. Individuals living with asthma must know that encroaching heat is a trigger for asthma, and it could worsen their symptoms, which include shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing in response to the pollen in the air. This article is for all asthmatic patients who want to know how summers or hot and humid weather affect asthma. Continue reading to know about it.

Does Heat Aggravate Asthma?

Yes, heat aggravates asthma, and hot weather could be challenging for asthmatic patients. Researchers believe that hot weather is not good for respiratory health and can cause lung irritation not only for asthmatic patients but for everyone. However, individuals with asthma are at higher risk of lung irritation. There are many factors that lead to lung irritation in the summer. These are discussed below.

• Stagnant Air: Stifling heat can lead to air stagnation, creating conditions where pollen, dust, mold, and various pollutants are trapped, potentially triggering asthma exacerbations. Additionally, allergic responses to wildfires or outdoor blossoming can impact multiple bodily systems, including the respiratory tract (nose, lungs, and throat), sinuses, ears, gastrointestinal lining (lining of the stomach), and skin.

• Hot Air: The summer season brings with it hot and humid air, which can have a significant impact on the respiratory system. The combination of heat and humidity often leads to the tightening and narrowing of airways, making breathing more challenging for individuals. This phenomenon can result in difficulty breathing and discomfort.

• Humid Air: Humidity in the air lowers the air quality and makes it worse for asthmatic patients. The reason behind the decrease in air quality is the presence of moisture in it; this adds extra weight and makes it heavier. This heavier air has the potential to entrap allergens and irritants. The air filled with allergens and irritants leads to lung irritations and triggers asthmatic symptoms.

• Effect of Ozone: When the temperature rises and the air remains still, ozone and air pollution can rise to a hazardous level, resulting in deteriorating air quality. Prolonged exposure to such conditions can precipitate respiratory complications, particularly impacting individuals with asthma. Ozone, a primary constituent of smog, is generated through the interaction of emissions from vehicles, power plants, and specific industries with sunlight. Elevated levels of ozone have the potential to:

  • Provoke irritation within the respiratory system.

  • Inflict damage upon the cells lining the lungs.

  • Diminish lung function.

  • Exacerbate symptoms of asthma.

Increase in Pollen: Asthma is an allergic disease. Those whose symptoms are triggered by the inhalation of pollen in the air suffer badly when the pollen count in the air increases. There are some kinds of pollen that increase in the summer. These include tree pollen, weed pollen, and wood pollen. Tree pollen is active from February through June, while grass pollen is prevalent from May to early July. Weed pollens, including ragweed, are active from early August through the first frost. Common tree allergens in the United States include oak, elm, maple, and birch, often overlapping with the spread of grass pollen. Grasses like Bermuda grass, Kentucky bluegrass, Bahia grass, Fescue grass, Johnson grass, and Timothy grass produce pollen, which is dispersed during dry, breezy conditions. Ragweed thrives in warm temperatures, low humidity, and breezy conditions. Mold spores, airborne fungal seeds, peak in June and linger throughout the summer, declining with the onset of the first frost. They are often dispersed during dry, foggy, or windy nights and in humid weather conditions.

Other Factors: Additional factors include the activities individuals typically engage in during summer, such as vacationing, swimming, hiking, and cycling. The increase in outdoor activities during summer can elevate the risk of triggering asthmatic symptoms due to exposure to poor-quality air. Some of them are discussed below.

• Outdoor Activities: Engaging in sports or hiking outdoors exposes individuals to higher pollen or mold levels and poor air quality, potentially triggering symptoms.

• Swimming in Chlorine Pools: Chlorine in pools can irritate airways, exacerbating asthma symptoms for some individuals.

• Camping and Campfires: Exposure to pollen or smoke from campfires during camping trips can trigger asthma symptoms.

• Wildfires: Inhalation of smoke from wildfires can worsen asthma symptoms, even for individuals far from the fire.

• Vacation travel: Traveling to unfamiliar environments exposes individuals to new triggers, potentially provoking symptoms.

How to Prevent Asthma Flare-up in Hot Weather?

To prevent asthma flare-ups in hot weather, several steps can be taken:

• Monitor Air Quality and Temperature Before Going Outdoors: High air pollution levels and extreme temperatures can exacerbate asthma symptoms, so limit outdoor activities during times of poor air quality or extreme heat.

• Stay Cool and Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help thin mucus in the lungs and cool the body. Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to regulate indoor temperature and humidity.

• Always Have Asthma Medication on Hand: Keep both maintenance (controller) and quick-relief (rescue) medications readily available and take them as prescribed, even if feeling well. Consider creating an asthma action plan with a healthcare provider to ensure preparedness for any situation.

• Create a Pollutant-Free Space: If concerned about indoor triggers, consider creating a clean room using techniques to reduce pollutants, such as using air purifiers or sealing windows and doors.

• Wearing Mask: The best way to avoid asthma is to avoid the triggers. It is best to wear a high-quality mask when going outdoors to prevent inhaling poor-quality air and pollen.

Conclusion

In conclusion, summers can trigger symptoms of asthma and make breathing difficult. Although there is no perfect weather for asthma, and it can flare up at any time, it is better to understand one’s own condition and prepare themselves accordingly. It is true that asthma can not be cured completely; however, with proper precautions and treatment, it can be controlled to a greater extent.