Breath colder air

[Donkster]

I already wear a buff warm coat etc. I’m wondering if it’s normal to get short of breath in cold weather.... I already know that answer. What I’m really after is knowing how others experience this.

[Hidden]

It is winter here in Washington state USA. I live close to the Canadian border. We always get feet of snow. Yes it is harder breath. My lungs burn and I get short of breath.

[Lemon7 in reply to Hidden]

I was in Seattle in November 2017. My first visit to USA. Loved it. People so friendly.

[Hidden in reply to Lemon7]

Seattle is a big city on the western side of Washington. I worked there for years. Close to the space needle area. Then decided to move to a very rural area in eastern Washington to ride my Harley and horses without much traffic. It’s five hours away from Seattle. About a year after I moved on this acreage and remodeled this house I became short of breath and the rest is history.

[Lemon7 in reply to Hidden]

We visited the Boeing factory and mucklteo (wrong spelling). Took in a Seahawks game. Stayed at crowne plaza hotel in Seattle. Saw space needle and waterfront (delicious clam chowder). Went to aircraft museum at original boeing factory. to Kirkland at wateredge. Fantastic trip, fantastic people. Best wishes to you.

[Hidden in reply to Lemon7]

That is my home ground. Drove by Boeing daily to work. Lived in Renton

[Lemon7 in reply to Hidden]

Loved visiting your country. The warm, friendly people left a good impression. Hope one day to visit again. All good wishes.

[beech]

I find I can be fine indoors in the warm air, but can become breathless very quickly once I step out into the cold. I just have to go slowly and try to remember to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, whilst wearing a muffler over my nose and mouth. Then that gets all damp with my breath vapour. I find it thoroughly unenjoyable and try to limit my exposure where I can!

[Donkster in reply to beech]

Thank you Beech

I do exactly the same thing I find breathing through the buff restrictive as well it’s a pain never use to be like this and wondering if the way I am is ok thank you at least I can compare 🙏

[Pjmf in reply to beech]

The problem is that I can’t breather through my nose because I’m often panting...eg walking uphill which I try to do tokeep up the aerobic! I have a warm headband ove my nose, then a little gap and my buff. I’ve justgot back from the Alps and managed, but probablylooked ridiculous.

[beech in reply to Pjmf]

Do you ski in the Alps? That’s something I loved doing, if at a less adventurous pace getting older, but which I’ve avoided for the last 4 years since finding breathing more difficult. My husband would love to go back though, perhaps I can find a charming village I can walk slowly through, swathed in layers!

[Pjmf in reply to beech]

Yes, but I do cross country skiing now I’m older and only go out when it’s not too cold. I get very puffed walking or skiing uphill now which frustrates me, but I feel much fitter after two weeks there. I try not to go above 1400 m. I cover my face with various types of buff and I have a snowboarders’ nose mask but don’t like it much. I’m determined to keep going there...late season best for the warmth of the sun. Do try it again!

[beech in reply to Pjmf]

I must, and I shall. I’m suddenly (one of those scary big birthdays looming) aware that time is flying past, and I’m not going to get better at things now! So I’m going to grab my chances to do things I love, if slightly slower 💃🥂🎉 🤣

[Pjmf in reply to beech]

Good for you. I’m 70 next year and get frustrated and scared sometimes by the bronchiectasis, but hey, there are worse things! I walk a lot, go to zumba, do Tai Chi, and really enjoy gping to Austria!

[peege in reply to beech]

Re the muffler, the Buff brand ones are treated so the moisture is wicked away. They wash well and dry very quickly. Come in synthetic fibres and wool. I've only experience of the fine woollen ones.

[Donkster in reply to peege]

Would you have a link to the website were you brought yours

[peege in reply to Donkster]

Bought via Amazon. I've a small head so I buy child size on its own. The adult size slips down on me. Just google Buff and lots will come up. Cotswold Outdoor sell them but less choice. Wool are plain, synthetic are patterned. The child's one approx £12. Worth their weight in gold IMO. I've both red and navy, wear them most of the time when its cold and just pull up over nose when leaving the house. Always wore them on London's public transport.

Big motorbike shops usually sell fine silk ones (along with silk gloves & undies) but of course the moisture isn't wicked away. Used to wear them under crash helmet whilst on my bike.

[Spacecat1 in reply to beech]

Me I'm better with cold air as long as I have my coat on. But central heating in the house I have to turn it down. Otherwise my breathing I go out of breath. But then hubby gets cold. He sits with a hot water bottle to keep warm.

[O2Trees]

A local GP who is a GPSI (GP with special interest, his being in respiratory medicine) who is patron of our local Breathe Easy group says people with copd shouldnt be out at or below 6 degrees. Fine from house to car obviously (assuming you have one) but that's as much as you should do.

[Donkster in reply to O2Trees]

Hi 02Trees

Yes as soon as it gets down to 6-7 I have that uncomfortable feeling.

[beech in reply to O2Trees]

Makes sense, given we have to avoid our personal triggers or pay the price 😷

[2greys]

I have to wear a snood all day, on cold days at work. Very uncomfortable. I have two, I will have to buy more, because they need to be washed each day, as previously said they get warm and damp, a breeding ground for bacteria to form. Without them there is no way I could do a day's work , as I am very breathless at work anyway, even on warm days.

[Donkster in reply to 2greys]

For me at least I work from home. But going out is the same for me wearing my buff is just enough

[lKeith]

Donkster

Hi, yes the breathing is affected by colder weather, (& too hot weather the same) try wearing a mask or breath more thro' the nose so the air reaching your lungs is slightly warmed. If not get an all in one ballaclaver(spelling may be a bit off)

In the hot weather get a small hand held fan this does help the breathing, they are available from amazon.

IKeith

[Donkster in reply to lKeith]

Hi Keith

Thank you I guess everyone is using a scarf or buff. Their is no one making anything that can really help which is a shame considering the amounting people it’s effecting. Yes I had the same trouble last summer to hot 🥵

[lKeith in reply to Donkster]

Donkster

Hi again, did you try a small fan for the heat? it does help. The mask under a balaclaver also works but it can get a little wet.

IKrith

[Donkster in reply to lKeith]

Hi Keith

Yes I did have one but need to invest in a better one this year.

[Pjmf]

I’ve just bought a ‘breathe healthy’ mask. It’s very soft and is meant to wick moisture away , antimicrobial. Haven’t tried it yet but it might be good for flights, dust, pollution and even cold air!

[Donkster in reply to Pjmf]

I will look them up online thank you 🙏

[Donkster in reply to Pjmf]

Hi what did you think of the mask

[Pjmf]

I bought one for my flight. It was OK and at least kept my nose warm. Not a perfect solution as even though better than paper masks I felt a bit stuffy with it.