Asthma Exacerbation
For people with asthma, seasonal allergies can trigger an asthma attack or worsen symptoms. Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes the airways to swell and narrow. This makes breathing difficult and can lead to wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
There are several things that people can do to manage asthma during allergy season. It is crucial to keep track of air quality when one experiences asthma symptoms and what triggers them. This helps people avoid potential triggers and be prepared if they do encounter them. Common triggers include exercise, cold air, allergens such as pollen or pet dander, smoke, chemicals, strong emotions, weather changes, and medications such as beta-blockers or aspirin.
Individuals with asthma must take their medication as prescribed by their doctors. This includes long-term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and quick-relief medications such as albuterol. Quick-relief drugs are used to relieve symptoms during an asthma attack, while long-term control medications are used daily to prevent attacks from happening in the first place. Therefore, using both medications as prescribed to manage asthma effectively is important.
