There are many factors that can cause an asthma attack, including seasonal and environmental triggers. Asthma is a disease that can be unpredictable and hard to predict. These unpredictable attacks can be very frightening to children and adults alike. There are also a number of treatments available for many of the commonly experienced triggers that may help a person with asthma.
There are several factors that can contribute to the triggers of asthma. The presence of these triggers, weather changes, as well as the season can be impacted by several factors.
Certain triggers can develop at an accelerated rate or in different places. This can lead to exacerbations in asthmatic conditions. For example, animals and their fur can cause asthma attacks. Although certain animals are not naturally allergic to people, the fur and saliva on certain animals can create an allergic reaction in the individual. This can often happen at any time, at all times, or when the animal is exposed to another triggering factor, such as a pet.
Another example is dust. In the winter months, dust can cause some people to have more severe bouts of asthma. Areas that have long been covered in snow can also be a trigger. Snow can come off walls easily and there is no guarantee that the carpet will remain clean.
Spring allergies can be triggered by different things. It is common for many people to complain of feeling miserable because of spring allergies. While allergy symptoms in some children are more severe than others, this doesn’t mean that every child with an allergy has asthma. In fact, asthma symptoms vary from one person to the next.
Seasonal changes, such as being away from home for a long time, can also cause asthma. People who go away to college, go through a divorce, or other types of life events can suffer a flare-up due to environmental triggers. Again, it is important to determine if a person has asthma before the event occurs, or if it was caused by another triggering factor.
Many people are unaware of the severity of allergy symptoms and weather changes when they have a cold or the flu. If the cold or flu is treated with prescribed medications, the patient is generally not in immediate danger of an attack. However, seasonal allergies that last for several days or weeks can sometimes become serious in people that are exposed to the cold and flu. In fact, it is usually advised that patients with allergies to stay home during the winter months and see their allergist during the spring to catch any developing allergy symptoms before they get out of control.
As the summer months begin, asthma symptoms begin to become more pronounced in individuals that have weather sensitivities. Overwhelming congestion, wheezing, and difficulty breathing can occur at any time in the summer months.
Summer weather changes can also lead to aggravation of allergy symptoms that are provoked by allergens. Respiratory problems and even shortness of breath can result from exposure to a person’s own allergy reaction. Respiratory symptoms are common in asthma patients during their attacks. The combination of allergens and the weather can lead to respiratory problems that worsen asthma.
Children may feel more uncomfortable during the summer due to their increased susceptibility to attacks and asthma. Children can be more likely to experience airway obstruction due to cold, smoke, dust, and other pollutants that cause attacks. Children can also feel more vulnerable when outside their homes because of the increased risk of being hit by a car or having an attack from others on the street. These two things combined can cause children to want to stay indoors.
Seasonal and environmental changes in asthma are tough to deal with. By being prepared and keeping a vigilant eye, it is possible to live a normal life without experiencing debilitating and dangerous attacks. Understanding these changes and knowing how to treat them may make a big difference in their quality of life.
