Seasons come and go, and for most people, it’s just a matter of adjusting to the weather and moving on. But if you live with chronic conditions like atrial fibrillation, asthma, or an autoimmune liver disease like PBC or PSC, you know that season changes shift things within the body and can worsen symptoms you’ve worked hard to manage.
Spring, in particular, brings a wave of new challenges. Pollen levels rise, temperatures swing, and humidity creeps in. Even the sunlight feels stronger. And while these changes seem harmless, they can trigger real health issues for you.
Let’s explore how the spring season brings a range of risk factors that can be tough when managing a chronic condition.
Spring makes it harder to manage asthma because there’s so much more pollen. Trees and flowers bloom, and that triggers allergies, which then mess with your breathing. You might notice more tightness in your chest, coughing, or even needing your inhaler more often.
Humidity also plays a role. Moist air makes it harder for your lungs to breathe freely, while sudden cold fronts can tighten your airways. Even a simple walk outside can turn uncomfortable if the air is thick with allergens and your body temperature shifts quickly.
Seasonal changes can disrupt your heart’s rhythm. AFib affects the upper chambers of the heart, causing an irregular heartbeat. When the weather fluctuates quickly — warm one day and cold the next — your body works harder to regulate its internal temperature. That stress can increase your heart rate and trigger episodes of AFib.
Rising heat can also cause dehydration, which thickens your blood and affects circulation. Add that to increase UV rays exposure, and your heart may be working harder than usual without you even noticing.
Spring can be rough on your liver, especially if you're living with something like PBC or PSC. The extra sun, heat, and humidity can mess with your energy and make symptoms worse. You might feel more tired than usual or notice your skin acting up for no clear reason.
If you're dealing with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, even small changes in your routine — like eating out more, moving less, or just adjusting to the season — can affect how your liver works. These shifts impact liver cells and may lead to flare-ups. When your body is under stress, scar tissue can build up faster.
Spring doesn’t have to throw you off. When you adjust your routine early, you stay ahead of flare-ups. Here are steps you can take now to manage asthma, AFib, and autoimmune liver diseases as the season shifts.
Check pollen levels and temperature changes every morning and plan your day around them. If pollen is high, stay indoors during peak hours (usually mid-morning to afternoon). If the temperature is swinging, dress in layers so your body doesn’t have to work hard to stay balanced. This is especially important if you have an irregular heartbeat or high blood pressure or if body temperature regulation is already difficult.
Drink plenty of water, even when you’re not very active. Dehydration affects heart rhythm, liver function, and lung health. It raises your risk of chest pain, especially if you live with AFib or have a history of high blood pressure.
Keep water close and sip regularly — not just when you feel thirsty. This is one of the easiest ways to stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary stress on your system.
Spring can change how your body responds to medication. Talk to your doctor about whether you need to tweak your asthma inhaler routine, adjust your treatment for atrial fibrillation, or monitor your liver function more often. Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. Schedule a check-in and update your plan early. Innovative treatment strategies that weren’t part of your care plan may be available.
Fatigue is a common warning sign — especially with autoimmune liver disease. If you feel drained or foggy, listen to that. Build quiet breaks into your day. You don’t have to wait until you crash. Your energy is already stretched from managing symptoms, so protect what you have.
Use a simple health journal or app to record symptoms. Note when you feel tightness in your chest, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or skin irritation. These patterns help you and your care team spot what’s triggering flare-ups—whether it's UV rays, pollen, or temperature swings. They also help you notice patterns tied to risk factors like dehydration or lack of sleep.
Now’s a good time to schedule health screenings. Blood pressure, liver enzyme levels, and heart rhythm all need monitoring, especially with chronic conditions. If you haven’t had your routine labs or check-ins recently, book them. Screenings help catch issues before they get serious and give a clearer view of how your liver cells and heart are holding up this season.
Spring can bring emotional ups and downs, especially when your body doesn’t feel steady. Chronic conditions take a toll physically and mentally. Talk to someone if you feel overwhelmed. Keep a simple routine that makes you feel grounded — a short walk, journaling, or even just slowing down your mornings. Mental health isn’t separate from the rest. It’s part of how you manage symptoms.
Managing chronic conditions takes daily effort, but you’re not starting from scratch. You already know your body. You already have tools. Now, it’s about adjusting them to match the season. Make changes early. Talk to your doctor. Stay consistent. And if something feels off — trust that signal and act on it.
A lot is happening in the background of medical research — and most people never hear about it. Right now, clinical trials are testing new ways to manage AFib, autoimmune liver diseases like PBC and PSC, and asthma. Some are focused on easing tough symptoms, while others are working toward long-term solutions for conditions that don’t have a cure yet.
Science 37 is one platform that runs clinical trials for all of these. It’s worth checking out, especially if you feel like your current treatment isn’t doing enough. These trials can open up access to options you wouldn’t normally get through a regular doctor’s visit. You can always talk to your care team to see if something like this makes sense for you. Innovative treatment strategies don’t just help manage symptoms — they’re also helping shape the future of care.
