Cold and humid air directly irritates the already sensitive airways of asthma patients, according to Dr. Nguyen Huu Truong, Deputy Director of the Clinical Allergy - Immunology Center at Bach Mai Hospital. When cold air is inhaled, the airways constrict easily, the bronchial lining swells, and more mucus is secreted. This leads to common asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

Furthermore, the cold season is a prime time for respiratory infection-causing viruses to thrive. These viruses often trigger dangerous acute asthma attacks. Therefore, protecting the respiratory tract and effectively managing asthma is crucial for patients.

Asthma patients visiting Bach Mai Hospital. Photo: Kim Long

To safeguard respiratory health and control asthma, patients should adhere to five key principles:

Properly keep the body warm: Beyond wearing adequate warm clothing when outdoors, patients must pay special attention to keeping their neck, chest, and nose warm. Wearing a mask when leaving home helps warm the air before it enters the lungs.

Maintain preventive medication: A common mistake patients make is arbitrarily stopping medication once their health seems stable. Preventive medication, typically in spray or inhaler form, helps stabilize airway inflammation. Patients must ensure they use the correct dose and inhalation technique as instructed by their doctor.

Maintain a clean living environment: In colder months, people often keep doors and windows tightly closed, creating ideal conditions for mold and dust mites to flourish. Ensure your home remains dry and clean. Avoid using curtains, carpets, dust-collecting items, or keeping pets in the bedroom.

Avoid airway irritants: Limit exposure to incense smoke, cigarette smoke, strong chemical odors, and pollen. It is also important to avoid sudden exposure to cold.

Nutrition and exercise regimen: Eat a nutritious diet to boost the immune system. When exercising, choose warm, sunny times or exercise indoors. Always warm up thoroughly before starting and avoid overexertion.

Dr. Truong emphasizes that acute asthma attacks can progress rapidly and become life-threatening. Individuals experiencing an acute attack will suffer severe shortness of breath, often needing to sit leaning forward, propping themselves up to breathe, and unable to lie down.

Patients also have difficulty speaking due to the severity of their shortness of breath, only able to utter broken words. Rescue medication may cease to be effective. Lips, fingertips, and toes may turn bluish-purple. In severe cases, patients may experience altered consciousness, showing signs of anxiety, panic, sluggishness, fainting, or drowsiness. Patients and their families must recognize these critical signs to seek emergency medical care promptly.

Le Nga