Oct. 30, 2023— If you're living with asthma, winter weather can make it harder to manage. Cold air is a common asthma trigger—and it can make outdoor exercise a challenge.
But if you usually break a sweat walking, running or biking outside, you don't have to stop just because the temperatures have dipped. Here's what you need to know about keeping asthma symptoms in check while you enjoy being active this season.
When the weather outside is frightful
According to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), chilly, dry air causes airways to narrow, which can make it hard to breathe. If you have exercise-induced asthma, cold air can make symptoms more likely.
That doesn't mean you have to spend the next few months indoors. These tips from the AAFA and American Lung Association can help you control asthma symptoms and enjoy your favorite winter activities all season long:
- Take your daily medications as directed.
- Use your quick-relief inhaler about a half hour before outdoor exercise to avoid triggering your asthma.
- Always warm up before and cool down after your workout.
- Keep your quick-relief inhaler handy throughout your outdoor activity. Use it as soon as symptoms flare up.
- Wear a scarf over your nose and mouth to help warm and humidify the air.
- Get your flu vaccine. The flu can worsen asthma symptoms.
- If it's extremely cold, don't risk it. Work out at home or a gym.
Don't overlook indoor activities
Whether it's too cold outside or you want to add variety to your exercise routine, there are great ways to get active inside. When you have asthma, it's good to have options that don't expose your lungs to the cold air.
Consider adding one of the following workouts to the mix:
- Indoor swimming.
- Yoga.
- Volleyball.
- Martial arts.
Make a plan
Cold air isn't the only asthma trigger that's more common in winter. Other seasonal triggers include:
- Exposure to indoor air pollution, like wood or gas fireplaces.
- Colds, flu and other respiratory infections that spread in winter.
- Allergies from seasonal tree pollen.
To help you savor the season safely, make an asthma action plan. Ask your doctor for help keeping your plan up-to-date—and for more advice on managing your condition. And visit our Asthma health topic center for more timely tips.
Sources
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "Asthma and Winter Sports." https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/asthma/asthma-and-winter-sports.
- American Lung Association. "Tips for Outdoor Exercise in Cold Temperatures." https://www.lung.org/blog/outdoor-exercise-winter.
- Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. "Cold Weather Advisory: People With Asthma Should Take Precautions to Prevent Symptoms." https://community.aafa.org/blog/cold-weather-advisory-people-with-asthma-should-take-precautions-to-avoid-symptoms.
- Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. "What Is Exercise Induced Asthma?" https://aafa.org/asthma/asthma-triggers-causes/exercise-induced-asthma .