Does Asthma Weaken Your Respiratory System?
Asthma is a condition that affects your airways and often develops alongside allergies or sinus issues. While asthma can affect your respiratory system, our board-certified specialists at the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia are here to help you diagnose and treat your asthma symptoms.
Asthma and Your Respiratory System
When you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, the lining of your airways tends to always be hypersensitive — meaning that they’re often inflamed and red. Patients may have flare-ups after exercising, being outdoors in cold weather, being sick, or having an allergy attack.
However, when exposed to an allergen, your body’s response is to trigger an asthma attack to protect you from potential harm. When your body’s immune system is triggered, your airways will swell even more in an attempt to block out the allergen.
The muscles that surround your airways will also tighten, which is what makes it harder to breathe. It’s common for many patients to have a secondary asthma flare-up after their initial asthma attack.
Asthma and COVID-19
Managing your asthma symptoms and staying healthy is even more important this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic — especially during flu season.
Patients with moderate to severe asthma are at a higher risk of getting very sick if exposed to the coronavirus, according to the CDC. Preparing your lungs with asthma treatment can help lessen the effect of your symptoms should you contract COVID-19.
Seasonal Flare-Ups
The spring and fall can be troublesome seasons for Atlanta allergy sufferers. The fall season doesn’t just bring about cooler weather and pre-holiday excitement; It also brings about serious asthma-related allergy issues for people who suffer from allergies or asthma. Researchers have studied this issue, and discovered the following:
- Many people are hospitalized for asthma-related conditions during the first months of fall.
- The number of hospitalized children peaks during the first months of school because children are more exposed to allergens.
- Individuals hospitalized for asthma often suffer from viral infections such as rhinovirus, the flu, and COVID-19.
- Children get sick when they return to school and can transfer these illnesses and germs to parents and younger children at home.
- Flu season begins in late fall when infections are more prone to causing severe asthma flares.
How to Prevent Flare-Ups
To prevent severe flare-ups and dangerous asthma attacks, we encourage you to consider the following:
Get vaccinated.
Thankfully, COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available and can help prevent serious asthma conditions that are worsened by infections. Children and adults alike can benefit from annual flu shots.
Understand your asthma triggers.
If you understand what triggers your asthma attacks, you can take the necessary steps to prevent them from occurring.
Speak with a doctor about treatment options and other preventative measures.
A skilled allergist can determine what specific allergens trigger your asthma attacks and can provide the necessary medication to prevent or treat such conditions.
Why You Should Seek Asthma Treatment Now Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia
The key to protecting your respiratory system and staying healthy is diagnosing your asthma, and then developing a treatment plan. At Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, our board-certified specialists can do just that at any of our convenient locations.
Contact our board-certified specialists today for a same-day or next-day appointment, or skip the visit to our office with a telemedicine appointment. To book, call (770) 459-0620 or contact us online.