Grand Canyon Times

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

• Allergy triggers can also set off asthma attacks.

• Undergoing allergy treatment can help reduce asthma symptoms.  

Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center says people who suffer from allergies have many treatment options. In fact, treating your allergies can also help alleviate asthma symptoms.

"Allergy shots still are a thing and still are very effective. It is once a week that the patient has to come into the office, so it can be pretty cumbersome and intrusive into daily life," Lee told Grand Canyon Times. "We offer what we call sublingual immunotherapy, which is essentially the same principle, meaning that we tested for allergies, we figure out what you're allergic to and we make a special, customized serum of that stuff. Then we start feeding your body small amounts of it."

Asthma sufferers might notice that their symptoms become more severe during winter, thanks to dry air and abrupt changes in the weather, according to Temple Health. Dry air causes a decrease in protective fluid in the airways, which can make them inflamed and irritated, which can then trigger asthma symptoms. Asthma symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath, tightness and pain in the chest, and wheezing.

Common colds are also 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 your 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.

Many people who suffer from asthma also suffer from allergies, and some allergy triggers can set off asthma symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic. The immune system's response to fighting off allergens involves releasing chemicals that can lead to a runny nose, congestion or skin reactions, and those responses can affect the airways, triggering asthma symptoms.

Allergy treatments, such as immunotherapy, can reduce the body's reaction to allergens, which over time also decreases asthma symptoms.

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