The Ministry of Health of Peru announced on May 5 that recent changes in weather conditions could be a major cause for the onset of asthma attacks, particularly among people already diagnosed with the disease. The ministry estimates that more than one million people in Peru are affected by asthma.
This warning was issued as part of World Asthma Day. Rodrigo Aramburú Geng, a pulmonologist at Hospital María Auxiliadora, said asthma is a chronic respiratory illness that can begin in childhood and is often mistaken for a common cold. He said it should be treated promptly to avoid complications.
“In these days of changing weather, moving from warm to cold environments or vice versa causes inflammation in the respiratory system, which in uncontrolled asthmatic patients can lead to severe respiratory crises,” Aramburú Geng said.
He advised patients to visit their doctor before significant climate changes occur so they can be evaluated and receive preventive medication. If necessary, he recommended undergoing spirometry tests to assess lung function.
“Climate changes also lower our defenses because cold air or consuming cold drinks reduces the activity of the respiratory epithelium—the lining that covers our airways,” Aramburú Geng said. He explained this makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to enter the body and cause infections, which may trigger an asthma crisis.
Warning signs include difficulty breathing, persistent cough, waking up at night due to shortness of breath or choking sensations, chest pain, and mild wheezing similar to a cat’s meow. These symptoms indicate poor control over asthma and require immediate attention.
