What is Asthma? 

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can affect people of all ages, caused by  inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways, making breathing more  difficult. Typical symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath, and chest  tightness. Other common symptoms include wheezing and a whistling sound in the chest.

The causes of asthma are varied and include family medical history, allergic conditions, urbanization, medical events in early life, exposure to allergens and irritants, and being overweight or obese. Although asthma can be a serious condition, it can be managed with proper treatment. People with asthma should rely on healthcare professionals to prevent worse outcomes.

What is an Asthma Attack? 

An asthma attack can be a difficult experience: during these episodes, you feel a sensation of difficulty breathing deeply, your chest tightens, and your breathing becomes faster. During an asthma attack, the muscles around the bronchi contract, narrowing the airways and making breathing extremely difficult.

The duration of an asthma attack can vary depending on the cause and inflammation of the airways: mild attacks can last a few minutes, while more severe ones can last for hours or days, often requiring medication. Receiving adequate medical assistance can reduce the duration of the more severe attacks.

How does Asthma impact people’s lives? 

Uncontrolled or undiagnosed asthma can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life: frequent symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath can interfere with daily activities, sleep, and exercise, leading to decreased  productivity and overall well-being. 

In severe cases, people with asthma may need immediate medical assistance and could be hospitalized for care and monitoring. In the most serious cases, asthma can lead to death.

However, the disease can be controlled and managed by consulting with a doctor and following instructions. 

Summer and problems for Asthma patients 

With the arrival of summer, days get even longer, temperatures rise, and outdoor activities become more frequent. However, this season also brings triggers for asthma and seasonal allergies.

Even if spring pollen may decrease, in summer other plants, such as ragweed, release pollen that can cause allergies and asthma. Moreover, air pollution tends to increase with heat, aggravating symptoms for those who are sensitive, and the air can become stagnant, thus trapping pollen, dust, mold, and pollutants.

Lastly, heat and humidity can cause the airways to tighten and narrow, making breathing difficult for people with asthma.

Allergic Asthma 

The main difference between common asthma and allergic asthma lies in the cause  of the symptoms. For a person with non-allergic asthma, triggers may include smoke, pollutants, physical exercise, viruses, and many other causes.

For those with allergic asthma, summer triggers can make breathing more difficult or cause asthma to worsen, and temperature changes can also exacerbate the situation.

However, there are good practices to manage the situation without necessarily staying indoors. 

Summer tips for Asthma patients 

Air quality can be problematic for those with asthma, so it is necessary to monitor  pollution levels and keep the air clean in living areas, including at home and work. Using dehumidifiers or air conditioning with High Efficiency Particulate Air filters can help reduce the presence of allergens.

Before engaging in any outdoor physical activity, it is always recommended to check the surrounding environment and be mindful of triggers. In particular, during summer, it is important to pay attention to humidity levels in the air. Additionally, taking a shower after outdoor activities can help wash off residual pollen from skin and hair. Staying hydrated is also important: water lowers body temperature and helps thin mucus in the lungs and airways. 

While limiting exposure can be helpful, it is never possible to completely eliminate contact with all potential asthma and allergy triggers. This is why it is important to always use maintenance or control medications as prescribed by healthcare  professionals, even in the absence of symptoms: some studies have shown that  patients who stop their therapy during the summer (without first consulting their doctor) are more likely to develop more severe symptoms in the fall.

Maintaining a constant relationship with the doctor can help identify what worsens  asthma and find simple solutions to reduce and avoid worse outcomes.