Thermoregulatory and respiratory responses in asthmatic and nonasthmatic subjects breathing cold and warm air during exercise in the cold

Visualization of body thermoregulation by infrared imaging

“…This process began to compensate for this loss instantaneously within a few seconds. However, thermal images demonstrated that the temperature on the fingers extremities increase during prolonged exposure to cold, which corresponds to the observations made by Sandsund et al (2007). While following the thermal profiles taken on the ends of the fingers, the areas above the veins, and on the other areas of the hand, one noted that all these zones do not react to thermal stimulations in the same way.…”

Asthma and allergic rhinitis increase respiratory symptoms in cold weather among young adults

“…Populationbased studies have shown that respiratory symptoms in cold are experienced manifold by people with a respiratory disease, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [13e15] and especially during exercise. [16] Sensitivity to cold in asthmatics has further been confirmed in clinical provocation studies employing hyperventilation and cold dry air [17,18] or during exercise tests in cold weather [11,19,20]. Furthermore, provocation studies have shown that a decrease in temperature increases symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) [21] and nasal responsiveness to cold exposure is even stronger in subject with asthma and AR compared with those having rhinitis alone [22].…”

“…Exposure to cold air occurs during occupational or leisure time activities or while commuting [9]. Cold weather and the subsequent facial and respiratory tract cooling or inhalation of dry air commonly causes respiratory symptoms (25e29% among 25e75 year old) in the general population [10] and these effects are aggravated during exercise [11] and may even lead to the development of asthma among elite outdoor athletes [12]. Populationbased studies have shown that respiratory symptoms in cold are experienced manifold by people with a respiratory disease, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [13e15] and especially during exercise.…”

Cold weather increases respiratory symptoms and functional disability especially among patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis

“…Cold weather-related functional disabilities among asthmatics have not been studied at the population level. There are a few studies that have shown decreasing lung function related to exercising or working in cold outdoor weather 12 , 13 . Decline of lung function and high prevalence of respiratory symptoms in cold indoor environment has also been reported 14 , 15 .…”