Tips For Managing Asthma During The Monsoon Season

1. Tips ForManaging AsthmaDuring TheMonsoonSeason If you arediagnosed with asthmaand have been living with this conditionfora while,you might be aware of how your environment affects your health. You might have noticed some external factors that affect your asthma symptoms, including the weather. Depending on what season it is, you mighthave to beextra careful aboutdifferentseasonal asthmatriggers and take extra precautions sothat yoursymptomsdon’t get worse. For monsoons, the high humidity, temperature changes, and other environmental factors can have a negativeeffecton your asthma.You mighthavenoticed thatyou faceshortnessof breathmoreoftenduring therainyseason.Studies havealsoshownthatthereisalink between storms and asthma, something that is referred to as thunderstorm asthma. But there aresomeprecautionsyoucantakeduringthe monsoonsthatcanhelpyouprevent your asthma symptoms from gettingworse andreduce thechancesof an attack. Here are some tips tomanage yourasthmainrainyseason: Keepyourhomecleanandmould-free When humidity rises during the monsoons, two common asthmatriggers become an increased concern indoors - dust mites and mould spores. Whiledust mites are usually not a concern whenhumidityis below45%attemperaturesaround 20-22°Cbutduringmonsoons,the humidity is much greater than that, usually over 70%. At greater levels of humidity, the number of house dust mites can quickly increase to about several thousand mites per gram of house dust. Mould also thrives in this high humidity environment and can grow in areas that are typicallywetlike bathroomsandkitchens. So,keepyour homecleanandwell-ventilated especially duringthe monsoonseason. Keep your windowsclosed during thunderstorms Thunderstormshavebeenlinked with anincreased riskof asthmaattacks.Witha thunderstorm, allergens like pollen in the air can increase, which can act as an asthma trigger, worsening yoursymptomsandincreasingthe chancesof anasthma attack. So,try totake shelter indoors during thunderstorms and close the windows to avoid contact with potential asthmatriggers. Avoidexposureto allergensandgerms Dust, pollutants, and pollen in the air can act as asthma triggers and even during the rains, they can poseaproblem.Bacteriaandvirusesarealso morecommonduringtherains which increases the chances of a respiratory infection, which can make your asthma symptoms worse. You can wear a mask when you’re outside and make sure that you wash your hands frequently toavoidgettingsick. Keeppetsawayfromthebedroom During the monsoons, pets stay indoors more frequently which can increase your exposure to petdander,whichisanotherasthmatrigger.Whileitmaynotbepossibletokeepthem

2. outdoors, try to keep some distance from them and keep them away from the bedroom to reduce your exposure. If you have rugs, consider keeping them away during the rains as pet danderanddust canlingerthereforlongperiodsoftime. These arejust afew of thetips that youcanfollow to keep your symptoms incheckand manageasthmain rainyseason.Along withfollowing theseprecautions toavoidseasonal asthma triggers and taking your medications regularly, you should also have an asthma action plan ready. An asthma action plan will includethe steps that you need to take when your asthma symptoms get worse so you know when you should get in touch with your doctor or head to an emergencyroom.If youhave received an asthma diagnosisand don’thave an actionplanyet, get intouchwithyourdoctorsoyoucanhaveoneprepared.