Many would agree that summer is the best season of the year. Indeed, there is no experience much like basking in the golden sunlight, swimming in the blue sea, and feeling the warm breeze against your skin. Once the summer season arrives, it feels like anything magical can happen—once you’re in that warm weather state of mind, living feels lighter, easier, and more beautiful!

However, although summer is a universally beloved time, it isn’t a perfect season. During the warmer months, the temperature can get so high you can get dehydrated, sweat sticking to your clothes feels uncomfortable, not to mention the humidity leads to uncomfortable days under the heat.

Warm Weather Woes

With summer comes bright sunshine and luscious evergreen, but what many forget is that the season also brings forth uncomfortable heat and humidity, which is never a good combination for asthmatic individuals. If you think that winter mornings are as bad as they could get, you haven’t experienced the brunt of summer afternoons!

If you have asthma, it’s crucial to watch out for summer, as the increase in humidity can trigger some symptoms. Moreover, the combination of heat and humidity creates a fertile breeding ground for dust mites, mold, and other allergens, which could affect your breathing.

To an asthmatic person, heat and humidity aren’t just irritating—they can trigger asthma symptoms and even cause serious problems, which may require urgent care!

Managing Your Asthma in the Summer

Summer is inevitable, but asthma symptoms are avoidable! If you’re an asthmatic, you can still feel comfortable during the season and prevent summer symptoms from flaring. Just read on below to find out how:

1. Stay Cool

The key to surviving summer as an asthmatic is to avoid inhaling scorching air. Stay away from hot and humid weather by staying indoors and spend the hottest times of the day in an air-conditioned space.

2. Drink Water

Hydration is key to reducing asthma significantly. Water will thin out the mucus, clearing the lungs and making it much easier to breathe. If you can’t afford to spend your day inside the house, remember to bring a water bottle with you to stay hydrated throughout the day.

3. Plan and Prepare

The heat won’t be able to catch you off guard if you have a game plan in place! Before going outside, make sure to check the Pollen Count and the Air Quality Health Index in your area to determine whether it’s safe to go outside or not.

If you’re going outdoors, bring everything you need just in case you experience asthma symptoms—always have your reliever medication on hand no matter the weather because you never know what can happen.

4. Know Your Limits

Many asthmatics tend to suffer during the summer because they don’t realize when they’re over-exerting themselves. Exercising and hanging out with friends is alright, as long as you make sure that you know how much you can handle. 

5. Seek Medical Help

Before summer arrives, make sure to have a chat with your doctor about your asthma treatment, especially when you know your asthma is worse during the warmer months. If you’re facing a heatwave and feel like your symptoms can’t be dealt with alone, don’t hesitate to visit a walk-in clinic for urgent care.

Conclusion

Just like other seasons, summer isn’t perfect, and it has its unpleasant characteristics. Some may find it easy to overlook or adapt to the heat and humidity during the warmer months. 

Still, others find it much more challenging to adapt to summer, especially when they have health conditions such as asthma. Keep our tips in mind so that you can survive summer asthma and have and enjoy the season as much as you can!

If you need emergency medical care for your asthma, just visit Aspen Medical Center! You can make an urgent care appointment to decrease wait times or simply walk in to be seen. Our clinic locations in Santa Fe and Espanola are open seven days a week to address your urgent health concerns. Check-in online today!