Asthma patients should be extra careful in winter

02 February, 2013

Asthma patients should take particular care during winter because their lungs are already irritable and reactive. There are many reasons which are associated with an attack of asthma during winter months. During winter months any virus can impact the lungs, and this can lead to more problems, including bringing on an asthma attack faster than many people realize.

People whose asthma is under control are in a better position to withstand the risks that winter months bring. First of all, they should have a regular asthma review at the hospital. Here are some important tips to keep asthma at bay in cold weather.

- Patients should take medicines regularly and switch on ventilators before going out of the house.

- They must stay protected and should not be exposed to the cold.

- While exercising in cold weather, they should warm up for at least 10 to 15 minutes before using their inhaler.

The common signs and symptoms that a person is suffering from asthma are breathlessness, frequent cough, difficulty in respiration, cold and blocking of the nose, fever, tightness of chest and decrease in the appetite.

Dr. Bobby Bhalotra, Senior consultant, chest diseases, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said, “They should take precautions that they should not get exposed to sudden cold, because sudden cold decreases your immunity and there is a chance that you will catch a bad throat infection or acute bronchitis due to exposure to cold and the virus. So in winter season keep yourself warm, protected and covered. For people who have asthma or bronchitis, I will request them to take their medicines regularly,” reported network1media.