Cold weather and asthma don’t mix very well. Cold, dry air can irritate the airways and cause spasms. Cold or RTIs (respiratory tract infections) can make asthma worse. And to top it all, it is an underlying condition that makes it susceptible to COVID, which targets the respiratory system.
If you’re going outside, you’ll be wearing a mask, hopefully, and that’s good for your asthma. You’ll also be wearing a scarf, which will keep the respiratory funnel warm.
Get an asthma pump refill
The first thing to remember is to get an asthma pump refill and any other medication you may need by using telemedicine, or telehealth as it’s also known. Make use of the QuickRXRefill online prescriptions service and do this all from the warmth of home.
If you need to talk to a doctor, you can have an e-consult and get an e-prescription, which will be mailed to a pharmacy near you. The drugstore will fill out the prescription and hopefully will have a delivery service and bring your meds to your doorstep.
Exercise indoors
You need to exercise when you’re an asthmatic, and this should be done indoors in winter. If you have a treadmill, it’s great, as you can limit your walking to a slow, steady gait. Or you can walk up and down stairs (slowly). This exercise will get all the muck that has clogged up in your airways out. Exercise will help increase lung capacity and reduce inflammation.
You could also do a fitness class at the gym. Make sure that you pace yourself, so you’re not trying to keep up with the others. You can also swim in the (hopefully) heated pool, which is excellent exercise and good for opening the airways.
Use a humidifier sparingly
The air in your home is probably also cold and dry, though naturally not as bad as outside. You’re tempted in investing in a humidifier that will bring warm, moist air into the home. Ensure that the filters are clean every day so you’re not breathing in dirty stuff that has collected there.
Don’t forget that dirty mist being inhaled will make your asthma worse. You must also regulate the humidifier so it’s not on all the time, as this could also worsen conditions. In fact, use this very sparingly.
Have meds on hand
Don’t forget to have your quick-relief meds on hand like your pump. Your long-term asthma control meds should also be in good supply. If not, make use of telehealth and order everything you need. Just because you’re not feeling symptoms doesn’t mean you don’t need to take what has been prescribed for you. Always be prepared for a flare-up.
Keep the house cool and dry as dust mites and mold don’t thrive in these conditions. Because you’re spending more time indoors, make sure your home is free of dust. Keep a fan on in the bathroom if you’re in there for a while and in the kitchen when cooking.
Don’t have pets in the bedroom. Curb allergen spreads when you’re sleeping. These can cause flare-ups.
Learn what those triggers are
You should know what triggers your asthma when coughing and wheezing get so bad that you can hardly breathe. Avoid tobacco smoke. If there are several people outside and they’re smoking, take a wide detour. This is the number one trigger. Don’t sit close to anyone who is smoking, even outside.
If you have an asthmatic child, make sure he or she knows the triggers as well. Pets, mold, dust mites all play a part, and they could be making you ill at home.