Serving the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire of Georgia and South Carolina.
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Part of a comprehensive asthma care plan includes identifying the triggers that affect you most. For many people, summer introduces several factors that worsen their respiratory health. In fact, researchers have witnessed an uptick in asthma-related hospitalizations during the warmer months.
While asthma attacks aren’t always preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of them this summer. Discover how you can identify and avoid your seasonal triggers below.
If your asthma seems worse in the summer, heat and humidity could be the primary culprits. Excessive heat can affect your respiratory system both directly and indirectly. First, hot weather can lead to dehydration, causing electrolyte imbalances that worsen your asthma symptoms. Secondly, the humidity that often accompanies heat can lead to bronchoconstriction, or the narrowing of your airways. That’s because mold, dust mites, and other airway irritants thrive in moist air.
Hot weather also increases the risk of wildfires, leading to one of the worst asthma triggers: smoke. During the Canadian wildfires in 2023, for example, asthma-related emergency room visits across New York City rose sharply. Even on a smaller scale, smoke from campfires, fireworks, and charcoal grills can irritate your airways. And if you’re spending more time outdoors doing physical activity, your exercise-induced asthma could flare. Should your summer workout involve swimming, chlorine could be a trigger, too.
Many smartphones are equipped with weather apps that offer the air quality index (AQI) by region. If yours doesn’t, you can also visit Airnow.gov for air quality insights by location. Watch the forecast and try to avoid going out if the AQI is 101 or higher, which is considered dangerous for people with asthma.
Beyond AQI, you might want to look at other weather-related factors before venturing out. Since the AQI is determined by the level of pollutants in the air, consider checking pollen.com for allergen updates and your go-to weather source for temperature forecasts.
Climate change has led to an uptick in wildfire activity across the U.S. Should one break out near you, stay indoors as much as possible. And while summer bonfires may sound tempting, they’re better off avoided if you know smoke is sure to set off your asthma symptoms. You might not need to skip out on backyard barbecues altogether but do try to position yourself away from the grill.
Whether you enjoy doing laps or just lounging poolside, the chemicals used to treat the water in swimming pools could trigger your symptoms. In some cases, they can even cause asthma in people who don’t already have the disease. Limit symptoms by using an outdoor pool with plenty of ventilation, and avoid going in right after the water’s been treated. Showering immediately after a swim will also reduce your exposure to chemicals.
You should never deviate from your personalized asthma action plan without your provider’s go-ahead — especially during the summer. As a reminder, your plan outlines instructions for any daily medications you may need, as well as guidance for using a quick-relief inhaler. With the potential for increased exposure to irritants during the summer season, it’s a good idea to carry it with you at all times. Consider looking online for a refresher on how to use it, or ask your provider if you’re still unsure.
If you have a chronic condition like asthma, turn to SouthCoast Health for comprehensive care. Our allergy and asthma specialist offers innovative treatments and leverage recent advances in medicine to offer the best options to our patients. Schedule an appointment online or by calling 912-527-5335.
Whether you are looking for a primary care doctor or a pediatrician, or another medical specialist, SouthCoast Health has you covered with its wide range of world-class healthcare services, available throughout the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 18 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hilton Head, Hinesville, and Statesboro. SouthCoast Health offers comprehensive medical services including: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Allergy and Asthma, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Eye Care, Imaging, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, Neurology, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Surgery, Clinical Trial Research Studies, Diabetic Self-Management Training Sessions, Dietetic Counseling, Laboratory Services, Massage Therapy, Optical Shop, Pharmacy, and Urgent Care.
SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 18 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hinesville, and Statesboro.
