The Winter Trend of Aggravated Asthma Symptoms and Check Before You Burn
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways and lungs. About 1 in 13, or about 25 million Americans, have asthma[1] [2] compared to 262 million worldwide[3] [4]. A diagnosis and medications like inhalers can help manage symptoms, which can include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, pain or pressure, and coughing[5]. Many people with asthma notice a trend of worsening symptoms during colder winter months because the cold air causes airways to narrow and increase the amount of mucus your lungs produce, and cold air can irritate your airways[6]. With cooler weather upon us, we’ve compiled a list of ways to help lessen your asthma symptoms[7] [8] [9].
· Keep your body and house warm by keeping your house insulated and drinking hot liquids, eating warm meals, and covering up in blankets
· Keep your bedroom windows closed at night
· Keep moving and stretching in order to use your body heat to keep your lungs and airways warm
· Avoid allergens, mold, pollen, pet dander, or air pollution including second hand smoke that can exacerbate your symptoms
· Avoid exposure to irritants like dust, perfumes, or chemical fumes
· Stay healthy by drinking plenty of fluids, eating healthy, managing stress, getting plenty of rest, avoid touching your face, washing your hands, staying up to date on your vaccines and cold and flu shots, and coughing and sneezing into a tissue or your elbow to avoid the spread of germs
· Keep your bedding clean by covering your mattress and pillows with an allergen cover, washing bedding in hot water, and keeping your furry friends out of your room
· Use a humidifier to keep the air moist, but be sure to clean it often to avoid growing mold
· Keep your home clean, but have someone else doing the vacuuming and dusting to keep the airborne dust from entering your lungs
· Use a mask or scarf to keep your mouth and nose warm
· Use your rescue inhaler 10-15 minutes before going outside
· Clean and replace air filters in your HVAC systems and your vehicles when recommended
One more thing you can do to help reduce asthmatic symptoms for both you and others is to Check Before You Burn[10]. Every November through February, the California EPA and the Sac Metro Air District require you to check before you burn because if the air quality already has a high level of PM2.5, they do not want wood burning to add to the poor air quality. Wood burning releases carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic pollutants, and particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10), all of which irritate lungs and exacerbate asthma symptoms[11]. You may file an exemption request on the website if you either have a Hardship Exemption where your income and circumstances are considered, or if wood burning is your household’s sole source of heat. Not adhering to the law will result in a Notice of Penalty for first-time violators and then a Notice of Violation for second-time violators, both of which include fines.
An alternative to wood burning is an electric heater. By reducing wood burning in the winter, especially on cold, windless days and nights, particles will not linger in the air and cause respiratory problems for you or your neighbors. Stay warm and breathe easy this winter!
Author: Nicole Grady
[1] https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma
[2] https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/what-is-asthma/asthma-statistics/#:~:text=is%20more%20common.-,Asthma%20prevalence,Asians%204.9%25
[3] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma
[4] https://globalasthmareport.org/burden/burden.php
[5] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6424-asthma
[6] https://www.lung.org/blog/cold-weather-asthma
[7] https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/cold-weather
[8] https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma/asthma-attack-death#outlook
[9] https://www.riversideonline.com/patients-and-visitors/healthy-you-blog/blog/t/tips-to-avoid-asthma-attacks-in-cold-weather#:~:text=Wash%20your%20hands%20regularly.,Exercise%20indoors.
[10] https://www.airquality.org/residents/fireplaces-wood-stoves/check-before-you-burn
[11] https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/woodburning-handbook
