LAX Leader

• 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. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers says people with chronic sinus problems or allergies also frequently suffer from asthma, but treating the underlying issue can help reduce asthma symptoms.

"Asthma and sinusitis are very, very closely related. When you have inflammation in your nose and sinuses and bacterial buildup, we often see what we call 'seeding the lungs'," Hershcovitch told the LAX Leader.

Asthma sufferers might notice more severe symptoms during winter months, thanks to dry air and abrupt changes in the weather, according to a pulmonary nurse practitioner with the Temple Lung Center. Dry air can cause a decrease in the protective fluid in the lungs' airways, which can make the airways inflamed and irritated, triggering asthma symptoms. Those 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 cause asthma symptoms. A few simple strategies to combat asthma attacks brought on by cold weather are dressing warmly when you go outside, breathing through the nose as often 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.

"Those inflammatory cells and bacteria that you are breathing in, that exists in your nose and it's going to your lungs," Hershcovitch said. "The lung mucosa is very similar to nasal mucosal when you have those bacteria and inflammatory markers. You often then start developing mucus in your lungs, which causes reactive airway disease inflammation and asthma. This is very problematic, and we often see asthma in many of our patients (who have) chronic sinusitis. The good news is when you address chronic sinusitis, you often see significant improvement with asthma as well."

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, and 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 the symptoms of sinusitis or allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.