Crisp air, cozy sweaters, and colorful leaves make fall a favorite season for many. But if you have asthma or allergies, this beautiful time of year can also bring flare-ups.
Ragweed, pollen, and dry air are some of the seasonal changes that trigger symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, and wheezing.
At Respacare in Bridgewater, New Jersey, our medical experts, Dr. Nehal Mehta and Dr. Prashant Patel, understand how frustrating it is when symptoms worsen as the weather changes. But with a few simple tips, you can breathe easier and keep your symptoms under control this fall.
Here are our top tips for managing asthma and allergies in the fall:
Asthma and allergies often overlap, so understanding what’s behind your symptoms can help you take control.
Common fall allergens that may trigger asthma or allergy symptoms include:
At Respcare, we perform in-office allergy testing to identify triggers so we can develop a targeted treatment plan.
In addition to allergies, weather changes are also triggers for asthma sufferers. Breathing in the drier and colder fall air increases moisture loss in the lungs and may potentially lead to irritation, inflammation, and an asthma attack.
Asthma and allergy treatment varies from person to person. If you notice that fall weather brings more frequent flare-ups, it’s time to update your treatment plan.
Treatments for asthma and allergies may include:
Even if you’re feeling good, it’s important to take your medication as prescribed to keep symptoms under control and prevent serious attacks.
The cooler weather means spending more time indoors. Though some allergy and asthma triggers are outside, they can get in. Dust mites and mold are other triggers that thrive in indoor environments.
Reduce your exposure to allergens by cleaning the air with a high-efficiency air particle (HEPA) filter unit with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) that matches the size of the room. For example, you want a minimum CADR of 65 for a 100 square-foot room.
You also want to vacuum and dust once a week, change heating and cooling filters every 30-90 days, and keep humidity levels below 50% to discourage mold growth.
Lifestyle habits play a key role in managing asthma and allergies. Because the air is dry, you want to drink plenty of water to keep your body and lungs hydrated.
Getting the right amount of sleep, fitting in regular physical activity, and finding healthy outlets for stress are also vital for managing lung health. You may also want to consider getting the flu shot to improve protection against the respiratory infection that can worsen asthma and allergy symptoms.
Even when you do everything right and follow your plan, asthma and allergy symptoms can still flare up. Signs that you might need to check in with your doctor include:
We can evaluate symptoms, adjust your plan, and make sure you’re using your inhalers correctly. We may also recommend additional testing or therapies such as allergy injections, which decrease your sensitivity to allergens to improve symptoms and long-term control.
If fall is your season of asthma and allergy flare-ups and you’re struggling to get your symptoms under control, our team can help. Call our office today or click the online booking button to schedule your consultation.
