Cold temperatures hit asthmatics hard

Asthmatics throughout the area were hit hard by the frigid temperatures last week.

At the Idaho Allergy and Asthma Clinic in Idaho Falls, specialist David Petty said the recent cold snap brought in several more patients.

“We’ve had multiple people say, ‘I was doing okay, until we had that really cold week,'” said Petty. “The colder it gets, the more at risk you are to have problems.”

Asthmatic Kerilyn Shigihara said the frigid temperatures really shorten her breath.

“It feels like you’re breathing razor blades,” said Shigihara. “You know, just kind of pins and needles when you breath.”

Petty said the airway disorder coupled with the cold causes squeezing in the chest and swelling in the lungs, creating more mucus.

“Cold air season is winter season, which is cold and flu season,” said Petty. “The combination of the two really makes the whole winter season a very busy time for us.”

With temperatures sure to dip near zero soon enough, Shigihara said she’ll do just what Petty recommends.

“Some of the things that I do is wear a scarf or muffler, so I can cover up my mouth when it’s really cold,” said Shigihara. “Always carry around my albuterol just in case it gets really bad.”

Petty said the most difficult times for asthmatics are when it’s extremely cold, and parts of the summer when it’s harvest and wildfire season.