Why Does Asthma Get Worse With Certain Weather?
Weather changes can impact asthma symptoms. Some examples include:
- High heat
- Cold air temperatures
- High humidity
- Sudden weather changes
- Rain
- Thunderstorms
They can affect pollen counts. This can trigger symptoms in individuals with allergic asthma.
Climate change can also lead to longer allergy seasons. It can cause an increase in overall pollen counts. With increasing temperatures and more severe weather changes, people with asthma can have more difficulty controlling their symptoms.
Weather changes associated with dry or cold air can trigger symptoms. This is due to the airway narrowing. Cold, dry air is a common trigger for asthma, especially when exercising. Weather changes associated with hot, humid air can also trigger symptoms. Air pollution, ozone, and pollen can increase when the weather is hot and humid. This can irritate the airways. It can worsen asthma.
Thunderstorms can make asthma worse. This condition is known as “thunderstorm asthma”. It is triggered by a mixture of grass pollen and/or mold spores in the air and thunderstorm conditions. This includes airflow patterns, humidity, and electricity from the storm. This causes a significant release of these allergens. They can go into the nose and lungs triggering asthma symptoms.
John M. James, MD, is a board-certified allergist. He is also President of Food Allergy Consulting and Education Services, LLC. He has worked as a medical specialist in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology for over 30 years. Dr. James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. He is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
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