Indy Standard

• Colder weather can cause more severe symptoms in asthma sufferers.

• Allergy triggers can also set off asthma attacks.

• Undergoing allergy treatment can also help reduce asthma symptoms.  

According to Dr. Anthony Sanders of the Indianapolis Sinus Center, people battling chronic sinus problems often have the dual issue of asthma and sinus infections.

"There's a very strong relationship between upper and lower airway problems -- asthma being lower airway, chronic sinusitis and allergies being upper airway,” Sanders told Indy Standard.

According to Temple Health, people suffering from asthma may notice that their symptoms are more severe during the winter, a result of the dry air and rapid changes in the weather conditions. A nurse practitioner with the Temple Lung Center also noted that the dry air can reduce the protective fluid in the airways of the lungs, leading to inflammation and irritation and exacerbating the symptoms of asthma, which can include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, tightness and pain in the chest.

“The general population has an incidence of asthma in approximately 5 to 7%,” Sanders said. “People with chronic rhinosinusitis have an incidence of asthma more in the 20% range.”

People diagnosed with asthma also often suffer from various forms of allergies, according to Mayo Clinic. As the body’s immune system fights off allergens, it releases chemicals that can spark a runny nose, decongestion and skin issues. Allergy treatments such as immunotherapy can reduce your body's reaction to allergens over time, which will in turn decrease asthma symptoms.

“People who suffer from asthma have chronic rhinosinusitis in roughly 75% of cases,” Sanders said. “So statistics would suggest that there's a strong correlation between asthma and chronic sinusitis."

Common colds and the flu are more prevalent during the winter, and those respiratory illnesses can cause the airways to become swollen and irritated, which can set off asthma symptoms. A few simple strategies to combat asthma attacks brought on by cold weather are dressing warmly when you go outside, breathing through the nose as much as possible, using a humidifier, exercising indoors and staying hydrated. Frequently washing your hands can also help reduce your chances of catching a cold or the flu.

To learn more about allergy and sinusitis symptoms, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.