FARGO — As it gets colder outside, local doctors are urging people with asthma to have a plan. Essentia Health's Dr. Dan Dalan, an allergy and immunology specialist, says asthma attacks are more likely to happen in the winter, because the cold temperatures irritate the nose and lungs.
He says it starts with constant sneezing, wheezing, chest tightness and coughing. If it wakes you up at night, disturbs your daily routine or makes you use your inhaler more than twice a week, Dalan says it can turn into a respiratory infection, if those symptoms last more than four days. He says you should talk with your doctor now about adjusting your treatment plan.
"In the old days, we had a fast acting rescue inhalers, Albuterol, things like that. We recommend that a half hour before you exercise, a half hour before you go outside for any kind of activities, to pre-medicate yourself," Dalan says. He also says children, and the elderly, are more likely to have an asthma attack in the winter.
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