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Topic of the Month: July 2006: Managing asthma this summer
In this month's topic you will learn:
- Symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma.
- Common asthma triggers
- How to manage asthma this summer
- When to see an an asthma specialist
- Additional resources
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Summertime means heat, humidity, ozone alerts, allergies and activity. These are dangerous environmental hazards that 20 million people with asthma need to be aware of to prevent triggering an asthma attack this summer.
Asthma is a chronic disease in which airflow in and out of the lungs may be blocked by muscle squeezing, swelling and excess mucus. Patients with asthma may respond to factors in the environment, called triggers, which do not affect non-asthmatics. In response to a trigger, an asthmatic's airways become narrowed and inflamed, resulting in wheezing and/or coughing symptoms.
 Allergic Asthma
There are two forms of asthma: allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma. Allergic asthma means that asthma symptoms become more intense, perhaps resulting in an asthma attack, when the individual is exposed to allergens to which their immune system is sensitive. These allergens cause the airways to become inflamed and they are sometimes described as being "twitchy."
Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma. The symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same. They include:
- Cough
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
Asthma triggers
Every person has their own triggers. If you have asthma you can minimize your symptoms by avoiding your triggers, and by working with your allergist/immunologist to develop an effective Asthma Management Plan (Page 1, Page 2). Symptoms can be triggered by several factors, including:
- Allergens
- Irritants such as tobacco smoke, strong odors
- Weather changes
- Viral or sinus infections
- Exercise
- Reflux disease (Stomach acid flowing back up the esophagus, or food pipe)
- Medications
- Foods
- Emotional anxiety
 Managing asthma this summer
Approximately 60% of asthma attacks are caused by environmental allergens and irritants such as smoke, pollen and animal dander. Below are tips to help reduce attacks caused by environmental allergens and irritants this summer:
- Watch for changing weather conditions such as ozone alerts, changes in temperature, humidity, barometric pressure or strong winds that can aggravate asthma.
- Minimize strenuous physical activity outdoors on days when temperatures are excessively high. Sports that require short bursts of energy, such as baseball, football, wrestling, golfing, gymnastics, swimming, walking or hiking, are less likely to trigger asthma. People with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) should not stop exercising. Many asthmatics have found that with proper training and medical treatment, they are able to reduce the symptoms of EIA.
- Take medications as prescribed by your allergist/immunologist in the recommended dosage. Do not take more medication to ease severe symptoms without consulting with your physician first.
- Use an air conditioner in both your home and car to keep air clean, cool and dry.
- Sit far away from smoke created by campfires or someone who is smoking.
- Do not stand directly behind cars that are running; exhaust fumes could trigger an asthma attack.
- Air out tents/tree houses or other confined places where mold, a common allergen, could be found.
- Shower and wash your hair every night before going to bed to remove allergens from your hair and avoid getting them on your pillow.
- Leave tennis shoes outside before you come in the house. You'll avoid tracking pollen indoors.
Asthma is a chronic disease, and requires continuous management and appropriate treatment. You and your allergist/immunologist can work together on these goals to ensure that your asthma is well-managed. Having asthma should not stop you from participating in normal activities.
 When to see an allergy/asthma specialist
The AAAAI's How the Allergist/Immunologist Can Help: Consultation and Referral Guidelines Citing the Evidence provide information to assist patients and health care professionals in determining when a patient may need consultation or ongoing specialty care by the allergist/immunologist. Patients should see an allergist/immunologist if they:
- Need to confirm the diagnosis of asthma.
- Have asthma and see their symptoms get worse after a new pet has been introduced into the home.
- Have a history of seasonal or persistent asthma, to evaluate their sensitivity to inhaled allergens and provide instructions regarding avoidance measures.
- Need education on asthma and guidance in techniques for self-management.
- Need for daily asthma reliever medications.
- Are not using medications as prescribed, and this is limiting their ability to control their asthma.
Additional Resources
This topic was reviewed on 7/1/2006 by Stuart Friedman, MD, FAAAAI, Patients & Consumers Web Editor
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