Does the warm weather affect people's... - Lung Conditions C...
Does the warm weather affect people's breathing? My mum is really short of breath over the last couple of days. Many thanks in advance
That's a how long is a piece of string question Poppin because yes it might, but then again many people aren't adversely affected by the warm weather. The only thing you can do is to tick off all the things that she does normally to feel okay and work out what is different when she isn't. Personally, the warm weather helps me. I can't speak for anyone else. Whatever the cause, I hope she doesn't get too bad. Take care both 
Yes it affects my breathing ,i am lucky as i do have a portable air conditioner and can retreat to that room when i need to
Mine also but more than that I have a high core temperature and when I feel too hot in myself I really struggle more with my breathing. That's more often than not. Have a fan in every room and sleep with one on in my bedroom all year round.
Like the sound of the portable air conditioner newlands - are they expensive and where would I get one from? Thanks...Lovelight x
Thanks Scrobbity, the warm weather is the only thing I can think of. Her temperature is normal, oxygen levels ok, chest was fine on Wednesday, no crackles or wheezing. She is just really tired too
Thanks newlands, a portable air conditioner sounds fab
Yes is the answer, my breathing is affected as much by warm weather as the cold weather. I too find an air conditioner help. I can not sit out in the sun for long now as the heat makes me exhausted and short of breath Julie xx
Thanks Julie, it sounds very similar to my mum, she used to love sitting in the sun too. It's one less pleasure for her thanks to copd, she can't do anything anymore and is getter more and more depressed
Val xx
I like to have a fan by my bedside. This coming week, I am staying with my daughter in Lymington for a few days. The last few visits I have picked up chest infections needing doctors visits. She lives in a heavily wooded area and I think the pollen count is high. This time, I am taking my rescue pack, and hope to keep well. I cant stay away. I love the New Forest.
Hi Poppin. Yes, I think the weather does have an impact and I know I suffer a lot with tree pollen. A fan might help, I take a daily antihistamine and that helps too. I take it from March to October.
Lynne xx
Thanks annieseed, a fan is a great idea. I hope you enjoy your week away, good idea to take rescue pack though.
Stay well
Val xx
Thanks Lynne, I will take her a fan tomorrow and see if it helps her and give her a piriton or something similar, and see how she is. I know it's not hay fever, but an antihistamine is worth a try,
Thanks again
Val xx
HI Val, I was enquiring here about a humidifier a few months ago (still not got one!) and got a lot of replies about having to keep them scrupulously clean, so I would imagine the same could apply to an air conditioner, anything like that can be a breeding ground for mould and bacteria. Just a tip in case you thought of getting one! I find a fan very useful but don't know how they match up running cost wise with an aircon. Hope your mum's feeling better very soon. Libby
The warm weather seems to be a detriment to many people with breathing problems but hey so does the cold. I think we all have to find a way to be comfortable maybe Poppin your mum could benefit from air conditioning unit or a fan but I also think you need to find out if she needs anti histamines too, it may be she has developed hay fever which I think happens a lot to people with COPD who have never had it before.
I hope you find something to help her
Janet
xxx
As the weather gets warmer my reaching gets worse .Do hope your mum feels better soon
Please excuse spelling should have read breathing not reaching
I love the warmer weather but that brings pollen so i feel tired and rough. I find cetirizine quite useful; cheaper if you go to boots and ask for a generic rather than a named brand. I also feel v unwell in the cold so I think I need my own Goldilocks universe! Good luck with your mum Alison
Thank you to all of you, I have got a few tips to try tomorrow, see if she feels better after that
Val xx
Hi Val, yes the warm weather can affect people with a lung condition, in addition at the moment there is a lot of pollen about and this too can affect breathing. At the same time be aware in case there is a lung infection developing.
Hope your Mum is breathing easier very soon.
Good Wishes
BC
It's the changeable weather I'm finding hardest to cope with, breathing-wise. Once it's settled down, so too does my breathing. But all this hot one day, and cold the other, is playing havoc with my breathing. I do hope you are able to pinpoint exactly what the causation is, and able to help your mother, Val.
Sandra x x x
Thanks Blakey and Sandra, all mums oxygen levels and temperature are normal for her at the moment. I have a thermometer and sats probe and check them daily, so I can spot any signs of infection. The next infection may kill her according to hospital consultant 
so I watch for any signs of something going on. I am tempted to get her on her rescue pack just in case. I am terrified of losing her, even though I know it may well be round the corner, I don't want her to go yet
Val xx
Keeping fingers crossed there will be lots more happy days to enjoy with your Mum.
Hugs
BC xx
Hugs ((((((Val)))))). You're doing all you can, you're mum is getting great care from an obviously loving daughter. Remember we are all here to help each other. I'd be ringing for advice though before starting on the emergency pack, but that's me. You're there and dealing with the situation. You have to go with your instincts. Take care.
Sandra x x x
Thanks BC, so do I
The warm air causes the airways in lungs to constrict, leading to a bronchospasm. The bronchioles, tubes that flow into and out of the lungs, become inflamed and contract in response to triggers, such as warmer air. This causes the airways in the lungs to become smaller, making it harder for air to pass into and out of the body. This can be discouraging for folks living in hot climates, but there are many precautions individuals with COPD can take to have a more comfortable, breathe-easy summer.
Barometric pressure is a measure of the weight of the atmosphere, and can be felt by pressure in the air. Warm air holds more moisture than cold. ?e moisture, or water molecules, take up volume in the air causing a reduction the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. Humid air has a similar effect: the more wet the air is, the less oxygen.
I found that info on this site Poppin, I hope you're mum feels better soon.
copddigest.org/read/180/Pre...
Ann x
Hello Ann, thank you for that information. I've been thinking just that the past few days, seems to be less oxygen in the air and I'm having to do controlled breathing more often and the slightest thing seems to take more effort, moving around in slow motion! It's a bit comforting to know that the air pressure may be to blame and not worrying I'm about to have an exacerbation. George
I think air pollution is affected by sunshine too, so this may cause a problem with breathing.
I have a home nebuliser and the warm weather and pollen made me very breathless the last couple of days....so for only the third time in 18 months I used my home nebuliser last evening - and managed to cough up so much mucus I didn't know was there ! my sats were good as well and no sign of infection - think the tubes narrowed and blocked the mucus ... both making it hard work to breathe.... Hope that helps.
x
Hi poppin, the warm weather does affect breathing in Pete's case. It is because of the air quality and if the weather is very hot then he has to stay indoors. A few years back we had some very hot weather and went out. Pete went down with a chest infection which lasted 3 weeks. We are wiser now though. Hope your mum will be better soon and gets all the help she needs. Lots of love. xxxx
Hope Mum is doing better today Val.
Thinking of you.
BC x
Hi, she is feeling a little better today and not quite as breathless. She is just really tired and having a day of doing nothing with the odd snooze thrown in for good measure.
Thank you
Val xx
That's good to hear Val, its good to have rest and snooze days x BC x
Me too
