Spring can be a particularly problematic time of year for people who suffer from asthma. As people spend more time outdoors, pollen and other allergen triggers can exacerbate the condition, making it more difficult to breathe. Air pollution and temperature changes can also make symptoms worse.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) offers these tips to make the seasonal transition from winter to spring more bearable.
- Update your prescriptions. Check in with your board-certified allergist or asthma specialist to make sure you’re up-to-date on the latest medications.
- Ward off respiratory viruses. Be sure to get up-to-date on your seasonal flu shot, the COVID-19 vaccine and the newly approved respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shot.
- Keep your mind healthy. A stressed mind and body can trigger or exacerbate the symptoms of asthma or allergies, so find ways to stay calm… for example, listening to music, engaging in hobbies, and/or downloading a meditation app to use at bedtime.
- Don’t wait for spring to spring clean. To minimize allergens, have your carpets, drapes and furnishings deep-cleaned, or invest in a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) vacuum cleaning system.
- Get active. Exercise helps to fortify the body against asthma and allergies… but check with your allergist if you should take a pre-exercise asthma medicine before you start.
Asthma is one of the chronic conditions that MedBen WellLiving can help to detect and control through annual wellness exams and individualized disease monitoring and nurse coaching. Get more information by contacting your broker or calling MedBen at 888-627-8683.