American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology statistics reveal that there are 25 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with asthma. This chronic respiratory disease can be difficult to control, particularly when individuals are exposed to strong triggers.
According to WWLP 22News, a Massachusetts news outlet, the winter weather — which has been notably harsh this year — can be especially hard on people who suffer from asthma. There are a couple reasons for this. First, people spend more time indoors during the winter, where they're surrounded by common household triggers such as dust, mold and pet dander. Second, people are more apt to catch a cold or another type virus when the weather is cold, which exacerbates their asthma symptoms.
"Because [the] asthmatic has airways that are very hyper-sensitive, they're already inflamed, so the virus does more damage in the asthmatic patients than they would do in somebody who doesn't have asthma," Dr. Stanley Fineman explained to the news outlet.
With this information in mind, it's especially important for asthmatics to take preventive measures during the winter to ensure that they don't get sick. WebMD recommends washing your hands frequently, staying away from people who are ill and getting a flu shot.
When it comes to combating indoor allergens, there are certain allergy solutions you can invest in that can make a significant difference in your quality of life. At Allergy Be Gone, we sell bedding for allergies and an allergen air purifier, two products that will limit your exposure to household irritants.