What is Seasonal Asthma?

What is Seasonal Asthma?

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By Dr. Liji Thomas, MDReviewed by Dr. Mary Cooke, Ph.D.

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• Why is asthma sometimes seasonal?
• Seasonal allergies
• Seasonal climate variations
• Combined factors
• Other factors

Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the smaller lung airways, which prevents easy breathing. The inflammation is a result of an exaggerated allergic reaction to environmental substances like dust mites, chemicals, dander, mold or pollen. On the other hand, non-allergic asthma is not dependent on allergy, but may be precipitated by other factors like exercise, cold, heartburn, smoke and strong smells.

An asthma attack is characterized by wheezing of varying severity, a tight feeling within the chest caused by the narrowing of the smaller airways, shortness of breath, and coughing. These symptoms are due to tightening of the muscle in the airway walls, and swelling of the mucous lining, besides abnormally increased mucus production.  Symptoms differ between individuals, over a wide range of severity. Asthma often first manifests during childhood.