• 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.  

Asthma sufferers who feel that their condition gets worse in the winter are right about that, as dry air and other weather changes can affect the respiratory system, 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, according to Temple Health. 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.

Dr. Monty Trimble of Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers isn’t surprised by those findings.

"When you talk about the respiratory mucosal tissue, what tends to affect the nose also affects the lungs,” Trimble told the Lone Star Standard. “We know that patients with asthma tend to have worse asthma when the nose and the sinuses are not managed well, and so if someone comes in with a lot of issues with their lungs and their sinuses are diseased and obstructed, then we know that if we can address that effectively, that tends to greatly improve their pulmonary issues as well."

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 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. 

Many people with 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 and allergies, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.