Archbold Medical Center| Archives Magazine | Spring 2019

ARCHBOLD.ORG • SPRING 2019 13 How to copewith asthma this spring 1 Avoid the outdoors when pollen levels are high. “Pollen levels are their highest between 5am and 10am,” said Dr. Ponugoti. If you have to work in the yard, check the pollen count, and consider working in the yard early in the morning or evening, when the pollen count is at its lowest. Fertilizers and freshly cut grass can worsen asthma symptoms. After being outside, take a shower and wash your clothes so the pollen doesn’t transfer to furniture in your home. 2 Check your outdoor air quality before exercising outside. If you plan to exercise outside, scope out the environment first and be aware of obvious triggers. “If you must exercise outside, take your asthma medications before you go,” said Ponugoti. “An antihistamine and a few puffs of an asthma pump before working out can prevent an asthma attack.” 3 Defend yourself with unscented insect repellents. Citronella candles and bug sprays may keep mosquitoes at bay, but they can trigger an asthma episode. It may help to stay several feet away from any strong-smelling candles. And when using mosquito repellent, choose lotions that are unscented instead of aerosol sprays. 4 Take your medication as prescribed. While limiting exposure to pollen and other allergens can be helpful, you can never eliminate contact from all potential asthma triggers. “Continue to take your preventive or controller medications as prescribed, even if you are feeling well,” said Dr. Ponugoti. “Refill your prescriptions before spring, and have quick-relief medicine available for flare-ups too.” Dr. Ponugoti also recommends staying ahead of pollen. Keep your physician informed if you begin having trouble controlling your asthma during the spring months. Keerthi Ponugoti, MD Pulmonologist AFTER A LONG, COLDWINTER, many of us look forward to the warmer temperatures and blooming plants that spring brings. However, if you have asthma, allergies or both, the pollen that comes with the spring season can take a toll. “Pollen allergies can trigger asthma, which can result in airway inflammation and worsen underlying symptoms for asthma sufferers,” said Keerthi Ponugoti, MD, pulmonologist at Archbold Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Services. According to Dr. Ponugoti, even people with asthma can enjoy the spring season by following these four steps.