The summer heat, the winter cold, the humidity during monsoons and even spring’s flowers offer no respite to people who have asthma. Each season brings with it, its own set of challenges and allergens that could trigger asthmatic attacks. Fear not, for we bring you a comprehensive list of causes that trigger asthma attacks in each season.

1. Summer

Summer is one of the best seasons for people who have asthma. World over, in the summer season doctors, report the least number of asthma cases.

• In urban areas, air quality decreases due to pollution and dust.
• When humidity rises, it couples with heat and can prove harmful for asthma patients.
• Thunderstorms are frequent in summers, and they bring with them strong winds that activate fungal spores and pollen in the air. Spores and pollen are sure to shot asthma triggers.

2. Monsoons/ Autumn

The endless rain in the monsoon season might inspire poets to sing paeans but the season is not conducive towards a person who has asthma.

• The moisture from the rains provides perfect breeding grounds for fungal and mould spores. With no sun to disinfect the air, there is a spike in asthma attacks.

Autumn is no better for asthmatics.

• The dip in temperature is the primary reason for increased breathing problems.
• The flu viruses are abundant in this season and while a common cold cannot make much of a difference to a regular person, to an asthmatic is can put life out of gear. Children catch these viruses from each other and bring them home to their families.
• Respiratory infections prove to be more severe in the case of asthmatics because they have poor lung health. They could even turn into pneumonia if left untreated. It is best to get yourself inoculated with a flu shot to be safe.

3. Winters

• The cold makes the air dry. This is why asthma attacks are common in the winter.
• Exercising during colder months carries higher risks as the breathing is deeper in this season. For some people, just walking outdoors can trigger an asthma attack. Wearing a scarf will help you as it will keep your breathing moist and warmer.
• Since in the winter months, the heaters and humidifiers are used extensively, they can pose another problem. The warm, humid environment inside can accelerate the growth of dust mites and moulds.
• Smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces also can make breathing harder for people who have asthma.

4. Spring

When the entire world is outdoors, celebrating the onset of spring and all its beauty, the asthma patients dread it like nothing else. The triggers in this season are many.

• Pollen from all the blooming flowers can cause inflammation in the air passageways and cause asthma attacks.
• Exercising during the morning hours also causes breathing problems as the pollen concentration is highest from 5 a.m to 10 a.m.
• The spring season has unpredictable weather that can shoot up asthma attacks.