Cold Weather and Asthma
Hi everyone,
As I type this it is 6am on one of the coldest mornings we, on the East Coast of South Africa, have experienced in years. It's about 14°C and there is thick snow on the Drakensburg mountains a little inland from us. I am lying in bed, with the electric blanket on. So now that I have set the scene, I would like to ask you all how weather and especially cold weather affects your asthma. I have found that I really struggle in cold weather, my breathing is not free flowing, I almost constantly have a nagging pain in the middle of my back and my chest is uncomfortable. It's not an exerberation just a constant nagging reminder that I have asthma.
Hi again, Jules, and thanks for your post. Wow! - is that unusual weather for this time of year in South Africa on the East Coast. A temperature of 14 degrees C, translates to about 57 degrees F which, to me, does not seem to be that cold (although in June, here in New York, USA, would be considered unusual!
I am hopeful others in the community will see your post and respond with their own personal experiences and the cold weather (with asthma).
We do have some material published, right here on our asthma.net website which focuses on asthma and weather. I thought you might find it interesting and helpful to look them over at your leisure. For your convenience, here is a link to several of the articles: https://asthma.net/search?s=cold%20weather. I do hope you find the information to be practical.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)Hi Leon, thanks for the reply. Yes it is very unusual to have cold, rain and wind at this time of year on the East Coast. We normally have fairly mild, dry, still winters that are quite tolerable. We always joke that it takes 1 year for anyone's (including me 13 years ago) blood to thin enough to become a really nerd in cold weather. Inland in SA is much colder in winter. I used to live in the mountains, where the temperature drops below freezing nearly every early morning in winter so I can relate to your situation in New York. Thank you for the links, I will read them for sure.
Hi Jules - so good to hear from you again.
I think you'll enjoy reading the articles!
All the best,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
no
It refreshing to hear that cold weather does not trigger your asthma. Do you manage quite well in the winter months? Warmly - Rebecca (team member)
absolutely. I can not exercise outdoors in cold air
Cold air is a common trigger for many in the community. It constricts your airways making it difficult to breathe. How do you manage? What is your treatment plan? Rebecca (team member)
Yep, especially if really cold
Cold weather can be debilitating to some of us with asthma. How are you able to manage in cold weather? -Lauren (team member)
