Seasonal asthma symptoms
Many people find that their asthma symptoms vary from season to season. For some people, asthma symptoms are worse during the winter. For others,
outdoor allergens in the warmer months make their symptoms worse.
Pollution may also have a greater effect on asthma at different times of the year.
1
The fall and winter months bring both cold weather and respiratory infections like
colds and the flu. These infections are an important asthma trigger.
1,2 Asthma symptoms are often more severe with a respiratory infection than at other times.
2 The following steps may help reduce the chances of triggering an asthma attack:
1,3
- Covering your nose and mouth during cold weather
- Exercising indoors on cold days
- Getting a flu shot
- Practicing good hygiene and avoiding close contact with sick people
Some people with asthma may not realize they have a chronic condition, or they may be diagnosed with another condition such as bronchitis.
4 Bronchitis and asthma often have similar symptoms.
5 Between a third and two thirds of people who have been diagnosed with bronchitis may actually have asthma.
4
Seasonal allergies can also make your asthma worse and trigger asthma attacks.
1 If you think seasonal or other allergies may be affecting your asthma, talk to your healthcare provider. He or she can help you determine what you are allergic to and how to manage your allergies.
References
- NHLBI Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm. Accessed April 20, 2010.
- Nicholson KG, Kent J, Ireland DC. Respiratory viruses and exacerbations of asthma in adults. BMJ. 1993;307(6910):982-986.
- Information from your family doctor. What you should know about exercise-induced bronchospasm. Am Fam Physician. 2003;67(4):776. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0215/p776.html. Accessed May 6, 2010.
- Braman SS. Chronic cough due to acute bronchitis: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006;129(1 Suppl):95S-103S.
- Knutson D, Braun C. Diagnosis and management of acute bronchitis. Am Fam Physician. 2002;65(10):2039-2044.
ProAir
® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Important Safety Information
If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use ProAir
® HFA, contact your doctor immediately. This may indicate either a worsening of your asthma or a reaction to the medication, which may rarely occur with the first use of a new canister of ProAir
® HFA. Either of these could be life-threatening.
What to tell your doctor before using ProAir
® HFA: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking – especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression – because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Side effects associated with ProAir
® HFA included headache, rapid heart beat, pain, dizziness, and irritation of the throat and nose.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.