Seasonal Asthma, Asthma Winter, Best Asthma Info, Part 2

Welcome back, I hope that you have all got your Asthma Management Plan out and up to date, and that you are now taking your Peak Flows daily.

I did have an email from a reader who asked me if he should still take his Asthma medication in winter, even if his Peak Flows were OK and he was feeling fine.  I emailed back immediately and will make my reply public.

“Dear ________, many thanks for your email.  I am not a medical practitioner, however, I feel you should take all medications even if your Peak Flows are in the correct zone and you are feeling fine.  Winter can be a tricky time for asthmatics, with attacks triggered at any time due to the many and varied triggers winter can bring especially the nasty viruses that inevitably get spread from one person to another.

I would ask that you discuss this matter with your Doctor or Respiratory Physician.  I wish for you a winter full of joy and easy breathing.  Maggie

Please everyone, your medications are there as a preventative as well as in an emergency, please do not be a part of the statistics that climb in winter due to being rushed to the emergency department of the local hospital, to have them try to save your life, due to your bad management of non medication taking which is always part of any asthma management plan.

So lets move on, next I would like to talk to you about cold air, that can trigger an attack, so if it is very cold, windy or snowing, use a scarf or a mask over your nose and mouth to warm the air you breath in.  I know that you would be exercising, because it is good for your lungs and heart etc, so if it is too cold outside, drive to your local BIG shopping centre that is covered, and walk briskly around that 2 or 3 times. If you do exercise indoors at home, make sure that the room is well ventilated and warm.

Another thing I have noticed, especially with my daughter, is that she drinks less in winter, because it is cold, I have to remind her to this day, to drink more fluids, as a well hydrated body is needed by everyone, but especially asthmatics.

So what else can you do?  Let us take a look.

Wash your hands with soap regularly and use sanitiser wipes or gel to clean surfaces or objects you touch daily. You don’t even have to buy from a shop, you can make your own sanitiser bug blend using Essential Oils – saves money as you can use the oils for a myriad of other things  PLUS using them in my opinion is a lot Healthier for you.

NEVER use pens provided by banks or shops to sign credit card slips when purchasing items, use your own.

Wipe Shopping Troller Handles with sanitiser wipes or you own bug buster blend before using.

Avoid sharing dishes, towels, cups or silverware with other people, in fact if you are going to buy a cup of coffee when you’re out shopping, ask for it in a take away cup.  I know, I know what you’re thinking, HOWEVER, it is your health we are talking about, and a winter without wheezing should be the aim.

Avoid people who are sick, and stay home if you’re unwell yourself, why?  Most colds spread through the air when someone with an infection coughs or sneezes. You can inhale the viruses, however, you’re more likely to get sick if you touch your eyes, nose or mouth after handling a contaminated object i.e. pens, doorknobs, handles of shopping trolleys etc.  You know, it is amazing, just how you can bounce back by taking a day to rest and take care of yourself.  Children especially are resilient and 1 day indoors with your love and care, when they are not feeling the best, is sometimes all it takes.

You know I have so much more to tell you, there are still things my daughters and I do with our families to prevent seasonal asthma. Honestly, at first I thought this would be a 2 part post, but look out for post 3 with heaps more on the subject.

Until Next time,

I wish you and yours the best of Health!

Follow Us on Twitter

http://twitter.com/BestAsthmaInfo

Disclaimer

It is important to note that information contained in this post is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical practitioner.