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Sea air

Susanirene profile image
33 Replies

Can any one say categorically that living by the sea helps Copd

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Susanirene profile image
Susanirene
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33 Replies

Live on the coast and walk the beach regularly I love the calming affect the swimming 💛💜

Susanirene profile image
Susanirene in reply to

Sounds good but does it help Copd ?????

in reply to Susanirene

My breathing is fine but I walk and exercise but the salt air apparently is supposed to be good for us with lung conditions I can't say for anyone else as we are all different x

Heather1967 profile image
Heather1967 in reply to Susanirene

I don't think it matters where you live

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply to Heather1967

It certainly does Heather1967. Some places are way more polluted than others - I had to leave London as I could hardly manage to walk. Some people are more allergic than others and living near e.g. rapeseed fields if that is your allergin could make your condition far worse. Weather conditions and prevailing climate makes a difference for many. Living at a very high level can make it worse as the air has less oxygen - not surprising that Colorado in the U.S. has some of the most specialist hospitals for dealing with copd. As Dorothy says below, everyone's different.

I now live by the sea and am still going strong 17 years after diagnosis (which happened well into the moderate stage). As someone said above, the salt in the air may help and Im sure being at sea level does too. I know Im fortunate to have been able to up sticks and escape to a better environment - not everyone is so lucky.

I've no idea whether research has been done on this, Im sure there must be some. 2greys might be able to dig some out :)

newlands profile image
newlands

Well I lived in Aberdeen 55years ago and was cough cough my doctor told me Aberdeen air was too pure for me!! I moved to a mill town the caughing stopped,unless my asthma was bad now it's my copd that makes mr caught Different for some people

Take care

Dorothy

2greys profile image
2greys

Living at sea level, the air density and air pressure are higher, a good thing for me. Living very close to the shore could increase your exposure to higher ozone levels, which fortunately do not affect me.

Without doubt, I would say yes it is, the ozone and the salt air best thing I did was to move to sunny Southport which oddly enough we are below sea level thanks to our sand dunes they keep us safe

moogle profile image
moogle in reply to

off topic, I was born in Southport and we were lucky if we saw the sea .. it was so far out lol

in reply to moogle

would not recognise it now more so the north part of the beach grass and marsh has taken over

I read somewhere about salt being good for the lungs,apparently a study was done on people working in salt mines and despite the harsh conditions lung problems were rare,I have also heard about salt cave therapy.So perhaps it is the salt in the air and not the actual air itself.Good question though.🏊

Hacienda profile image
Hacienda in reply to

I have a Salt Pipe, mentioned on here Before, I wouldn't be without it. x

Annie31 profile image
Annie31

I think it depends on which coastline you are visiting/living on. My daughters, one lives in Appledore and one in Bideford, N Devon, Atlantic facing. I have without fail for the last three years come home to Wiltshire extremely poorly after every visit to them. If the weather is fine I find that's okay, it's beautiful but when it's bad, it's bad! Very, very windy, wet and cold and damp. Gets right into your bones and my lungs! I am almost paranoid about going there now. My eldest daughter is getting married in Appledore in October and I'm dreading it, how awful is that? South Devon I have never had a problem I suppose it is because it is more sheltered. I would not dispute about the salt in the air being good for you, I use a salt pipe on occasion and find it beneficial but the climate in that neck of the woods does me in!

Susanirene profile image
Susanirene in reply to Annie31

Hi thank you for the info I am tinkering with the idea of moving to Blackpool .may I ask what's this salt pipe you refer to and does it help Susan 😁😁😁😁😁

Annie31 profile image
Annie31 in reply to Susanirene

There are different types of salt pipes. I use Himalayan salt in it - I don't think there is a lot of difference between the European salt or the Himalayan! It does help to clear the chest from mucus which is a great help especially when suffering from a cold etc. I don't use it religiously so can only speak for myself in that occasionally it helps me feel better, but some people swear by it and others can't feel any benefit. Each to their own it would seem.

As for Blackpool, my sister who had emphysema and asthma lived for a few years very near to Blackpool, Poulton-Le-Fylde right on the coast) as her husband was suffering cancer and attended the Blackpool Vic Hospital. I don't think she was any worse living there if I remember correctly. Unfortunately he passed away and she moved back to Arbroath (he was Scottish and former officer in the Marines) where they had bought a cottage after him finishing his time, and it was there her health steadily declined. That could have been again the climate, cold, windy, rainy and damp!! They had a time share in Teneriffe and she thrived there but returning to Scotland always knocked her right back!

It seems to me that it is different horses for different courses!

Annie31 profile image
Annie31 in reply to Susanirene

My post below has been edited - why I don't know as I have seen others mention names on here without being censored. However I have used two different kinds of salt pipe, one porcelain and one plastic. I prefer the plastic one and has been recommended by Dr Chris Steele on morning TV and can be bought from a very well known internet site beginning with the letter 'A' and the other site beginning with the letter 'E'. It is the only plastic pipe available and comes with a supply of salt. Hope this helps.

Annie31 profile image
Annie31 in reply to Annie31

This should say the post above!!!

qbjb profile image
qbjb in reply to Annie31

South Devon has a very balmy climate ... it can take 3/6 months of living there to adjust. Moved there from London and was sleepy for an age! (No longer there, sadly)

Erin001 profile image
Erin001

It helps asthma too I think (I have asthma not copd) because my lungs feel so much clearer down by the sea which I think it's the salt it must clear your airways somehow I don't know how or why but I certainly notice a difference when I am by the sea or abroad in a nice hot and sunny country x

y_not profile image
y_not

If you live at the seaside then, logically pollution will only occur on the landside meaning (I would assume) that overall pollution levels must be lower and therefore a benefit to COPD sufferers ... wonder if government will fund a move for me ;o)

flicky1 profile image
flicky1

I live near the sea but pollution is trapped here by hills and I often feel healthier when I am away. I know people with lung conditions who regret having moved here from London.

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply to flicky1

Can I ask where you are flicky1? Hills trapping pollution happens a lot inland - e.g. Bath, Canterbury, poisonous cities - but I can see that it could also happen by the sea too.

flicky1 profile image
flicky1 in reply to O2Trees

On the south coast

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply to flicky1

I knew someone who moved to Brighton and her asthma got hugely worse.

flicky1 profile image
flicky1 in reply to O2Trees

I live in Eastbourne where visitors are invited to "breathe it in" sic

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply to flicky1

Haha - I cycled through there on a coastal awareness raising ride in 2009 (Hastings to Isle of Wight) - before anyone gets excited it took me a month. Loved the town, didn't notice anything worse than usual though but my condition was less advanced than now. I really love the town though Ive only been there twice. I live in Whitstable - the air is mostly good but the winds are fierce.

locheil profile image
locheil

Hi Susanirene,

I have bronchiectasis (originally diagnosed as COPD) I live 100 metres from the Firth of Forth ,our prevailing wind is northerly and the East Lothian coast is a beneficiary of the wind at its strongest!.I believe it is highly probably that there are benefits from both a physical and emotional standpoint living by the sea.The average span of the local population is 82 our immediate area(recently published). If you want more positive support for the theory look no further than your local hospital where they may well be using salt water nebulisers in certain instances.

Keep well xx

Hacienda profile image
Hacienda

I lived in Spain on The Costa's for 28 Years, had a Great Healthy Life till I was struck down with Bronchitis which was Diagnosed as COPD, SO, I would say , Yes to the Beautiful Life, I think the Coastal living made my Condition less urgent at that time, as soon as I came back to UK 4 years ago, I became very poorly. But Hey , I'm still here and hope when I get my Lungs I will be going Back to see my Grandchildren who are Spanish and are Living Very healthy Lives...You should do whatever makes you Happy, Good Luck xxx Carolinaxxx

Phil40 profile image
Phil40

I live in Bournemouth which was founded as a health resort for the pine trees, sea air and bathing and health spas. I would have thought that seaside holiday locations would generally be less polluted as less industry etc and the air blowing off the sea would be fresher and cleaner. Having said that I think COPD is very subjective and a diagnosis encompassing many different conditions so what may affect one person would not affect another. But as already mentioned as a resort town psychologically it may be better as lots to do and see so that may help too?

Greyeyes profile image
Greyeyes

I live by the sea, the air is a lot cleaner. The only issue is that it can be a bit difficult to get your breath on a windy day, but I guess it would be the same anywhere.

Patches2 profile image
Patches2

I have lived three hundred meters from the sea shore for over forty years. I cannot say that I have improved at all. I have Bronchiectasis and as the years go by I seem to be getting worse. I have found in the past that a dry climate works wonders for me and if I had the choice I would pick a dry climate over a sea shore one.

hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47

I came to live 5 miles from the sea 5 years ago having been in land about 12 miles for 10 years. Salt via salt pipes and nebulizer actually reduces the ability of my lungs to function well However I would not return to the Midlands where I was born and lived until I was almost 60 years old. I visit the sea and whether we walk with difficulty in my case along the front or simply sit and watch the sea, I always feel so much better.

Joy123 profile image
Joy123

I met a young nurse, whilst in hospital in London, she told me she'd lived in Southend. When I said I bet you miss the coast she said she had to move as she had asthma and it was very bad at home but not in town. So, obviously everybody's different.

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