Winter is a tough time of year in/with regard to’concerning’regarding plenty of reasons, especially in/with regard to’concerning’regarding individual with asthma. Cold weather dries out the air and triggers respiratory issues. You also possess’own’nurse to battle the seasonal flu and be concerned with regards to’concerning’with respect to COVID-19.
Use these tips to prevent asthma attacks and defeat the winter blues. When you can breathe comin/with regard to’concerning’regarding tably, it’s easier to enjoy eye-catching’good-shaped’appealing’charming’fascinating’gorgeous snow flurries and the occasional snowball fight with your loved ones.
1. Get Your Flu Shot
Toward the end of summer, pharmacies and doctors’ offices start posting token s with regards to’concerning’with respect to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting your flu shot. It’s essential to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure vaccinated eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully fall or winter to conserve’preserve yourself from seasonal viruses, but individual with asthma should take their flu shot even more seriously.
Asthma doesn’t make you more susceptible to the flu — it can make it much worse by inflaming the airways and lungs. You might need hospitalization if influenza makes it tough’challenging’demanding’awkward to breathe and triggers an asthma attack. Get your flu shot even if it’s late in the season to prevent dire respiratory emergencies.
2. Replace Your Air Filters
Experts recommend that individual transform’alter household HVAC filters eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully 60-90 days, but you can replace them even more frequently in the winter. Allergens and dust cause clogs when you spend more time indoors to shun the cold weather. If they block the filter mesh and the HVAC unit in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ces it through to circulate your indoor air, you’ll breathe the same irritants and multiply your chances of an attack.
3. Upgrade Your House Cleaning
Taking your cleaning routine more seriously makes your home a safer place to live and breathe. Floating irritants drift around the house bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e settling on surfaces already covered in bacteria and viruses. Upgrading your housekeeping can make a huge difference.
Wipe down your ceiling fans and clean mold off windows that collect condensation. Find a UV lamp that kills 99% of airborne germs that will irritate your lungs. Even one simple transform’alter will make it easier to breathe during the season when viruses thrive.
4. Avoid The Fireplace
While it’s tempting to cuddle up in front of the fireplace, the smoke will inflame asthma symptoms. It irritates the lungs whether it s from a fireplace, cigarette or grill. If you want to light a fire, sit back from the flames and put it out if you feel a tickle starting in your lungs. It’s an extra precaution individual with asthma should take this winter when they’re more likely to encounter crackling fires.
5. Wash Your Hands Correctly
You might still acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure the winter flu because you touched your nose or mouth with dirty hands. Rinse germs away by washing your hands correctly with soap and water. Scrubbing the backs of your hands and in between your fingers will make a enormous’vast’massive’tremendous difference in conserve’preserve ing you from acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting sick.
Scrub your hands clean after going out in public or touching shared surfaces. The soap will loosen the germs on your hands and keep you from acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting sick with the flu or pneumonia.
6. Set Medication Reminders
People with severe asthma may take daily medications to prevent attacks. Setting reminders is the easiest thing you can do to help yourself this winter. If you never skip a dose, you’ll possess’own’nurse all the conserve’preserve ion you need against airborne irritants.
Talk with your doctor if you struggle to take your medicine even with daily reminders and alarms. It could be time to try a simplified prescription or another treatment route.
Take Extra Asthma Precautions This Winter
These are just a few extra precautions individual with asthma should take this winter, so see if they make a difference in your daily health. Something as simple as cleaning your house more thoroughly might make you more comin/with regard to’concerning’regarding table while you’re cooped up until spring.
Author Bio
Emily is a freelance writer, covering conservation and sustainability.