Sunshine Sentinel

• 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. Cody Aull of West Palm Beach Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers says people who suffer from allergies or other sinus problems frequently also have asthma. However, treating the underlying cause can typically help alleviate asthma symptoms. 

"If a patient has asthma, then ‘You've got sinus problems’ is pretty much the knee-jerk reaction," Aull told Sunshine Sentinel. "If you've got asthma and nobody's taking care of your sinus problems, it’s pretty much a given that you're not getting full-quality care. If you have any sort of breathing problems and you haven't at least had your sinuses thoroughly evaluated with an endoscopy to see if you have allergies, you’re probably not getting the full quality of care for everything that’s out there."

Asthma sufferers might notice more severe symptoms during the winter months, thanks to dry air and abrupt changes in the weather, according to a nurse practitioner with Temple Health. Dry air can cause a decrease in the protective fluid in the airways of the lungs, which can make them inflamed and irritated, triggering asthma symptoms. Asthma symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath, tightness and pain in the chest, and wheezing.

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 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 have asthma also suffer from allergies, and 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. Those responses can affect the airways, triggering asthma symptoms. Allergy treatments, such as immunotherapy  can reduce your body's reaction to allergens over time, which will in turn decrease asthma symptoms.

If you're interested in learning more about sinusitis and allergy symptoms, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.