Asthma and Storms

[EmAl95]

Does anyone else's asthma get worse when there's a storm? I know obviously being out in bad weather/the cold can affect it but every time a storm comes over even when I'm inside I get tight chested and my cough gets worse. I take my reliever but it doesn't help. Any advice or even just reassurance I'm not alone?

[twinkly29]

It's a common trigger for asthma issues. I usually find it clears when it's rained/the intensity of the storm has passed, though I'm sure everyone is different.

2 puffs of ventolin (ideally through a spacer) would take about 15 mins to be effective - you can take more puffs of you need to although it's best to do so after the 15 mins so you can see the effectiveness. With shorter storms, the effect the storm has may be passing after that anyway. That's not to say you shouldn't use it of course - just that it wouldn't be an instant relief the minute you take it.

If it literally doesn't help at all then I would maybe query asthma as the issue. Various can can also cause tightness and so on, including anxiety which can easily appear after there's been a previous trigger for asthma as the brain kind of expects a similar reaction.

[AnnaMT]

You are not alone and indeed there has been quite a bit of research into this. I have had a few admissions to hospital in the past due to this. You may find the following of interest: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/114...

[Fruitandnutcase]

Agree with the others - weather changes of all sorts affect me, especially when it gets hot and muggy outside.

[Ghoulette]

Yes. I tell my friends I'm like their own personal barometer. Lots of things weather/atmosphere related affect my asthma.

[EmAl95 in reply to Ghoulette]

Yes exactly, it's like my asthma reacts before the storm is even here!

[Emily-G]

The weather is a big trigger for me too, specially thunder, I think it does something to the pollen… I’m on my second recovery day from thunder on Sunday. Hope you feel better soon

[EmAl95 in reply to Emily-G]

Sorry to hear you're still recovering from it, it always hits me pretty hard for a while after as well

[mylungshateme]

You most definitely are not alone. I know when a storm is coming I get a migraine and asthma plays up (more than usual) agree for me anyway asthma side is to do with pollen. X

[Anniecath]

Yep, been there a few times. Its as if someone has flicked a switch. I was OK one minute, absolutely floored the next. Use rescue inhaler and try to keep calm, no easy task I know, then if I'm at home I have a bath or shower and wash any clothing I was wearing to get rid of any pollen etc. Also a spray with cold water on hands, face, head, helps me. And doing breathing exercises can help too, but its finding what helps you. Good luck

[baxternoni]

My asthma is set off by heat and humidity or cold weather. Summers are terrible in Texas, so I stay indoors.