Once the sun begins to shine more and flowers come into bloom, we are all aware that spring has arrived for another year. But for those dealing with allergies, spring time brings with it a whole host of health issues. For many people, springtime allergies feel like a cold that won’t disappear but more serious health issues, such as asthma, can also be triggered by these allergies. Asthma is an inflammatory condition which affects the airways, making the lungs sensitive and breathing difficult. It can even be fatal if not treated correctly, as it inhibits the flow of air to the lung. Pollen, dust and damp spores can all trigger asthma and cause an attack – this makes spring a difficult time of year for allergy sufferers.
Around half of all people suffering with asthma also have allergies. While springtime allergies may seem like a seasonal issue which cause a mild inconvenience, for asthma sufferers it can spell several months of serious health concerns. If you’ve not been keeping up with your daily asthma treatments before the spring allergies hit, it could be even more problematic. During spring, the asthma treatments sufferers use daily to keep their symptoms at bay are critical as they reduce the inflammation in the respiratory airways.
Inflammation is the body’s way of defending itself, but if it lingers around for too long it can cause damage. When pollen and allergens are inhaled, this could cause the body to create an attack to defend itself. The airways of asthma sufferers become too inflamed to breathe easily, which triggers an asthma attack. The muscles around the airways also tighten, with a thick mucus developing in the airways. All of this contributes towards a damaging attack on the respiratory system which can be fatal if the individual doesn’t have the right treatment to hand.
Asthma is a chronic condition which has many triggers, but spring combines many of these – dust, pollen and mould spores from the wetter months that have gone before all create a harmful environment. In order to stay on top of your condition, you should try to let fresh air flow through your home to reduce damp and mould spores from forming, as well as staying on top of cleaning throughout the winter months to limit the amount of dust in your home. Be sure to speak to your GP to make sure you have the right treatment, too, so that you are well equipped should you have an attack.
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