A leading health expert has issued an urgent winter warning to the millions of people in the UK living with asthma, as freezing temperatures and snow sweep across the nation.
Dr Neel Patel, a part-time NHS GP who also works with LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, is urging caution, particularly for those determined to keep up with New Year fitness resolutions outdoors. The alert comes as the Met Office has issued several snow and ice warnings, with temperatures plunging close to zero.
Why Cold Air is a Major Asthma Trigger
According to the NHS, asthma is a common lung condition that affects breathing, with 7.2 million people in the UK living with it. While there is no cure, symptoms like wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness are typically managed with medication like inhalers.
Dr Patel explains that the current cold, dry air is especially problematic. "Cold, dry air can irritate your airways, worsening symptoms like wheezing, coughing and breathlessness," he said. It can cause airways to narrow and increase mucus production, making it hard to breathe.
Furthermore, cold air can weaken the immune system in the nose, making it easier for respiratory viruses like colds and flu to take hold. Spending more time indoors in heated, dry environments can also dry out nasal passages, creating cracks that allow germs to enter.
Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction: The Little-Known Risk
A key part of the warning focuses on Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB), often called exercise-induced asthma. A survey by LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor found that 66% of people become breathless more quickly in the cold, and a staggering 76% of Brits have never heard of EIB.
"While up to 90% of people with asthma also have EIB, you may experience EIB even if you don’t have asthma," Dr Patel clarified. It's caused by the loss of heat and moisture from the airways during exercise in cold air.
Symptoms, which can appear minutes after starting exercise, include:
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Chest tightness and coughing
- Reduced endurance and a sore throat
Triggers include outdoor sports in cold or polluted air, activities on ice or snow, and even indoor exercise where chemicals from chlorine or cleaning products are present.
Expert Tips for Managing Asthma in Winter
Dr Patel stresses that people should not avoid going outside, but must take precautions. His essential advice includes:
Take your controller medicines as directed and always keep a quick-relief inhaler nearby.
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth to warm the air before it reaches your lungs.
Use a scarf loosely over your nose and mouth to help warm and humidify the air you breathe if you have a cold.
He also emphasises recognising the signs of a serious asthma attack: quick, gasping breaths, difficulty speaking in full sentences, lips or nails turning blue, and your inhaler providing little relief. These are signs of a medical emergency.
"Many elite athletes have EIB," Dr Patel concluded. "But with the right treatment plan, it doesn’t hold them back." Anyone experiencing new or worsening symptoms should consult their doctor for diagnosis and a management plan.
