Healthline Asthma—Why It Can Be Worse During the Summer Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 15 July 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles Healthline Asthma—Why It Can Be Worse During the Summer Lung specialist and avid runner Zab Mosenifar, MD, tries to limit his exposure to air pollution by exercising near trees and grass. Photo by Cedars-Sinai. Healthline recently featured Zab Mosenifar, MD, director of the Women’s Guild Lung Institute at Cedars-Sinai, discussing why asthma symptoms worsen during the summer and how to cope. Asthma causes inflammation in the lungs and narrowing in the airways, making it hard to breathe. A common condition, especially among those living in polluted environments, asthma causes increased sensitivity in the airways. Even a change in temperature can trigger an attack, Mosenifar told Healthline. “Environmental triggers play a big role. In the summertime, the temperature rises and there are more pollutants and fume particles in the air,” said Mosenifar, a Cedars-Sinai professor of Medicine. As the weather becomes warmer, staying indoors can help because the ideal temperature for controlling asthma is between 68 and 71 degrees. “I recommend that people go exercising indoors, or late in the day if they have to go out. Stay away from pollens, particularly between April and July in some parts of the country,” Mosenifar told Healthline. Asthma-related hospital visits actually dropped during the first summer of the pandemic amid stay-at-home orders. “During COVID-19 there were less asthma exacerbations because a lot of people stayed indoors. There was less traffic and less air pollution. Mask wearing—particularly N95 masks—also helps out in terms of exposure to pollutants,” Mosenifar told Healthline. Along with high summer temperatures, pollen, pollutants, smoking and secondhand smoke can be irritating the body, leading to asthma attacks. Mosenifar recommended avoiding smoking and smokers to further limit exposure to triggers. A physician can prescribe two different types of inhalers to treat asthma: maintenance inhalers (to manage chronic inflammation) and rescue inhalers (for acute emergencies). Patients should use these medications as prescribed to avoid side effects; overdoing the rescue inhaler can lead to tachycardia (fast heart rhythm). If symptoms worsen, always consult a physician. Click here to read the complete article from Healthline. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Share this release Healthline Asthma—Why It Can Be Worse During the Summer Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home