Cold and windy weather brings about challenges with COPD
How we can protect our lungs during the winter
As I watch the snowflakes fly and see the trees sway in the 17 mph winds, I’m reminded that those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face some interesting challenges during the winter season.
I personally don’t feel the effects of the cold on my breathing until the temperatures dip into the teens Fahrenheit. If we add wind, the equation changes, and temperatures in the 20s are problematic. The change is probably because of the wind chill effect, which causes the body to lose heat much faster. Using a wind chill calculator, I see that 20 degrees can feel like 9 when wind speed is 10 mph.
Our bodies are equipped to warm and moisten the air that we breathe in through our nose, but when we’re met with a blast of frigid air, we tend to open our mouths. The result is that the air entering our lungs hasn’t been warmed or moistened. Cold, dry air can irritate the lungs and cause bronchospasms, a tightening of the airways that makes breathing difficult. These symptoms are much more pronounced for people with COPD and other lung diseases.
AARP reports that exercising in cold temperatures doesn’t benefit the lungs, and that people who do so are more likely to report respiratory symptoms, which may include coughing, wheezing, and a sore throat.
In addition, extreme weather events can contribute to the worsening of COPD symptoms or exacerbations and lead to hospitalizations, as COPD News Today reported in August.
What to do
Enough of the gloom and doom about cold, dry, winter air; let’s move on to how we can cope with these conditions!
The most obvious way to cope is to stay out of the winter air and remain indoors, where it’s typically warm. Another solution is to breathe through your nose whenever possible.
Wrapping a scarf over the lower half of our face or wearing a mask can help warm the air we breathe. I made cowl scarves for some of my friends and neighbors, which fit around the ears and nose without slipping to help protect against the cold and wind.
I also wear my KN95 mask when I go out in wintry conditions, and I wear my cowl scarf over it. This way, my exhalations help to warm the air that I breathe in.
How do you protect your lungs in cold weather? Please share in the comments below.
Note: COPD News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of COPD News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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