Cold Air and Asthma (Baltimore, MD)
Did you know that school children in Baltimore have some of the highest asthma rates in the country? Cold air and sudden changes in temperature can be triggers for asthma symptoms in some individuals. During normal breathing, the nose warms the air before it makes it to our lungs, but when air is cold, the nose is not as effective at warming the air we breathe, and often times we breathe through our mouths. Breathing cold air can constrict the airways, causing wheezing and other asthma symptoms.
Viewer Tip: Asthmatics and others can take special precautions to protect their airways during cold weather. Outside, wear a hood or a loose scarf to protect your nose and mouth, and avoid vigorous outdoor exercise on cold days to protect your airways. Coaches and physical education professionals should watch for signs and symptoms of cold-induced asthma in children who play sports such as football or hockey.
Season: Winter
(Sources: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. “Students Join Scientists in Search of Asthma Triggers.” http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/20020614baltasthma.html; The American Lung Association; Duke University Medical Center Health Brief: Winter’s Cold Can Exacerbate Asthma, http://www.dukemednews.org/news/article.php?id=9463)
