People with asthma need to comply with medication, keep the neck warm, and avoid cold or air-conditioned air blowing directly on the face and chest to control the disease.
MSc.BS.CKII Nguyen Thi My Hanh, Department of General Internal Medicine, Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7, said that erratic hot and cold weather does not directly cause asthma but is a factor that makes the disease easily flare up its symptoms. Sudden changes in temperature cause the airways to constrict, increasing the inflammatory response, making patients susceptible to acute asthma attacks.
In people with asthma, the airway mucosa is sensitive. When sudden cold air or hot, dry air enters the lungs, respiratory receptors are stimulated, causing bronchospasm, leading to difficulty breathing and chest tightness. Changing weather also increases accompanying factors such as fine dust, pollen, mold… These are factors that easily trigger asthma attacks.
Doctor Hanh is using a stethoscope to check the heart and lung function of a person going for a health check-up. Image: Tam Anh General Clinic District 7
According to Dr. Hanh, the most important principle to stabilize the underlying disease is to maintain control medication, especially inhaled corticosteroids, regularly as prescribed. Arbitrarily stopping medication during periods of fluctuating weather is a common mistake of many patients, increasing the risk of acute asthma attacks. Reliever bronchodilators should always be carried with you to treat shortness of breath.
Patients should avoid going out when the weather suddenly turns cold or the sun is hot, especially early in the morning and late at night. When you need to go out, you should wear a mask, keep your neck and chest area warm when it’s cold, and avoid air-conditioned air blowing directly on your face or chest when it’s hot.
The living environment also needs to be adjusted appropriately. Living space should be airy but avoid drafts, maintain reasonable humidity to limit dry airways. Cleaning the house, reducing dust, and limiting mold and pet hair helps significantly reduce the risk of asthma attacks during periods of erratic weather.
Physical activity is encouraged but needs to be adjusted at time and intensity. Patients should exercise in a stable temperature environment, avoid exercising outdoors when it is too hot or too cold. Breathing exercises and light exercise help improve respiratory function, but stop immediately if signs of difficulty breathing appear.
Dr. Hanh recommends that when coughing increases at night, wheezing, a feeling of heaviness in the chest or having to use more reliever medication than usual, the patient needs to see a doctor to adjust the regimen. In case of difficulty breathing that does not respond to bronchodilators, you need to go to the hospital immediately for timely diagnosis and treatment to avoid dangerous complications.