How Do Weather and Seasonal Changes Affect Respiratory Health?

Changes in temperature, humidity and allergens can trigger cough, wheezing and breathing difficulties in people with asthma or allergic rhinitis.

Have you noticed that your daily routine changes with the seasons?

From planning outdoor activities to adjusting what you wear, changing weather can affect many aspects of everyday life. For some people, it can also trigger asthma and allergy symptoms.

How Do Weather Changes Affect Breathing?

Every season brings its own changes in temperature, humidity, wind, and exposure to environmental allergens. And these weather changes can affect your breathing and airways.

People with lung disease like allergic rhinitis or asthma should keep an eye on sudden weather changes, as they can worsen lung symptoms. Hence, it is important to recognize your seasonal triggers and take steps to avoid them.

What Respiratory Triggers Are Common in Summer, Winter and Monsoon?

Common triggers include summer humidity and pollen, winter cold air and indoor allergens, and monsoon mold spores.

• Summer: Humidity, summer pollens (pollen allergy)
• Winter: Cold dry air, indoor allergens, exposure to infections
• Monsoon: Mold spores, pollen (pollen allergy)

How Can Weather Forecasts Help Protect Respiratory Health?

Checking forecasts for heat, cold, humidity and air quality can help people with respiratory conditions plan outdoor activities.

How Does Hot and Humid Weather Affect Asthma and Cough?

Hot and humid weather can make breathing more difficult, especially for people with breathing problems.

• Heat and humidity can make asthma symptoms worse.
• Breathing hot humid air induces airway irritation and cough in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Tip: Access to air conditioning can be important during the hot summer months, so add air-conditioning to your home if you can. Limit your exposure time for outdoor activities.

How Does Cold and Dry Weather Affect Breathing?

Cold, dry air can irritate the airways and worsen cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and asthma symptoms.

Tip: Loosely wrap a scarf around your nose and mouth to warm the air before it enters your lungs. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.

How Can People With Asthma or Allergies Prepare for Seasonal Changes?

People with asthma or allergies can monitor air quality, track symptoms and follow a personalised asthma action plan.

Medications: Always carry your quick-relief medication and use it at the first sign of symptoms.

Air quality: Check the air quality forecast and limit outdoor activities when pollution is high.

Maintain diary: Keep a diary of your symptoms and medications to help you and your health care provider identify seasonal triggers.

Asthma action plan: Ask your doctor for a personalized asthma action plan to help manage your asthma symptoms.

Whether the Weather Is Hot or Cold, Protect Every Breath Like Gold!