The Asthmatic’s Guide To Winter
Temperature influences asthma more than any other environmental or weather factor, according to researchers at Harvard University. Cold air has the effect of cooling and drying the bronchial airways, which can trigger an asthma attack. And the cold virus is able to replicate at much higher levels in the lung cells of asthma patients, according to researchers at The University Of Southampton. The virus was able to reproduce itself at up to 50 times the normal rate in lung cells taken from asthma patients. This is bad news, given that the lungs of an asthmatic are already irritable and more reactive than those of non-asthmatics.
The number of children being affected by asthma is dramatically increasing, with asthma now considered the most common cause of childhood hospitalization and school absences (an estimated 14 million school days lost per year). With the arrival of winter, the estimated 6 million children who suffer from asthma face numerous triggers of the disease.
So the cold, wet weather that we can expect from the coming months will no doubt be of concern to anyone who is affected by asthma. The Centre For Integrated Health sees many athsma sufferers and treatments (which now include Capnotraining technology) have been extremely successful.
What can a person who is prone to asthma do not only to avoid an attack, but also to feel confident that they are taking steps to protect themselves? The expert natural health practitioners at The Centre For Integrated Health have provided the following tips:
- Try to avoid cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine (a common ingredient in decongestants and multi-symptom products). It can dry out your airways and has the potential to cause palpitations when combined with some asthma medication.
- The hours around 3 and 4am are frequently reported to be problematic. Ensure that your bedroom is warm and dust free; and use home remedies like a vaporizer or humidifier to hydrate the air.
- Be sure to drink plenty of liquids.
- Do not underestimate your asthma condition. Many patients feel better in warm weather of summer so by the time winter rolls around they often see less of a need to take precautions. Keep your prescriptions to hand.
- Wear a scarf or facemask over the nose and mouth to warm the air you are breathing… And don’t wear damp clothes!
- If you take exercise, stick to swimming in an indoor heated pool. Be aware of the possible effects of chlorine. Salt-water pools are ideal.
- Stay healthy and use appropriate home remedies (practitioners at The Centre For Integrated Health can recommend) – call 01730 233 414 for more information.