Good morning all,
I was wondering whether there is anyone here, suffering from emphysema and COPD, who find that the steam from showers, wet weather, or high humidity worsens their breathing?
It seems to have this effect upon me, but doctors don't seem to want to believe that it might have such an effect upon COPD, or even breathing, more generally.
Hi philipjr -
Emphysema is under the umbrella of COPD, they are not 2 separate health issues really;
blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...
But to answer your question yes steam from showers, jacuzzie, swimming pools,wet weather, high winds, high humidity as with heavy rains, damp foggy weather, hot temperatures, extremely cold temperatures all worsen my breathing.
I think for some people they are not so much affected, could be they have minior lung damage or a different lung / breathing issue, but I have always experienced this with emphysema coponent of COPD.
What I do is have window open when showering or make the shower short or both if possible. Avoid indoor jacuzzie or swimming pool (although I do seem to get heavy legs in the heated jacuzzie even if open air) avoid going out in extreme temperatures and bad lung weather days. (not to mention smoke of any kind)
All these things can trigger an exacerbation of symptoms so best to put the lungs first. I must admit I tend to plan any outings around the weather - check met office daily and for the week ahead.
I hope you are having an easy breathing day.
Best wishes BK
Everything that Bkin said philipjr . Plus pollen levels . Not much fun really 🤔
Yes to all that, I've had copd for about 5 years now and my breathing suffers from these air conditions- particularly this cold weather which seems to have lasted for weeks if not months!
Yes to all the things you listed philipjr. I know that some forum members are able to shower even though they have severe lung disease but I haven't been able to use the shower for over 5 years now and also had to stop using the bath 3 years ago due to increasing breathlessness. It's a strip wash with help now but it isn't quite the same as having a good soak. Cold weather and winds also affect me. In fact there aren't many weather conditions that do suit me as my emphysema worsens! I think that some doctors do understand but many appear not to sadly. Bluenotes is right - it really isn't much fun.
I definitely have a problem when I don't let my Door open in the bathroom, to much steam not cope very well with it. And don't cope well when it's raining and wet. Definitely worsen my symptoms. Prefer dry and warm places, I don't suffer much when in holiday, like turkey or Greece. Always like the Mediterranean weather.
Keep well and stay safe 🍀🍀🍀
Not much chance of that at the moment , but doesn't the heat affect you ????
No, in summer I have less problems as when it's cold or wet.
I always know when it's high humidity as my breathing suffers. I can use a shower but not a steam room.
Hi, the steam from showers & high humidity certainly affect my wife's copd.
Ditto! to everything showering! I'm not brokenhearted over this as I have never liked nor felt comfortable showering. I like my bath still and always leave the bathroom door open in winter or the window open in warmer months. Have also got an optional ceiling fan in there if needed, but the noise drives me nuts!! 😜I dont think you realise how different climate, heating etc affects you until you actually suffer with these lung issues - I know it took me a long time to catch on how I felt at different times and learning what I could cope with or not.
I'm learning a lot from all of you - hadn't realised that all these things will affect me. In addition to breathing irritants already mentioned, when I open mail from one certain source, to my nose it feels as if there are loads of tiny particles in the air which are released when I splice open the envelope so now I know to put on a mask before opening it! Does anyone else experience that? To Annie31, it might be worth getting an electrician to check out that noisy ceiling fan because not all of them make a racket! X
Hi, good suggestion but son qualified electrician and he installed them about nine years ago now. He's offered to replace with quieter ones (one in kitchen is same brand, same noise!) but I don't use them and noise doesn't bother husband! Prefer to have the Windows open! Thank you anyway!
Hi there, totally agree there are so many things that affect the breathing especially weather changes, cold affects my cough and heat or humidity my breathing. I live alone so can leave bathroom door open.
Hello, well I can second what Bkin has said, have very similar problems myself. I thank everyone who has responded to your post as I thought I was alone with this problem of different things affecting my breathing which friends do not seem to understand why I try to avoid going out when it is really cold. Best wishes to you and all suffering with this problem. xx
Definitely. I struggle to walk far in pouring rain or very wet atmospheres.
Hi phillipjr I have copd Inc emphysema and bronchiectasis and asthma it is quite debilitating when the room is steamy from the shower, I find keeping the temperature lower and fan on or window open helps but I only shower when I feel in the right place example after my meds are in my system working well otherwise I am struggling all day.
yes it does hot cold damp and windy weather does affect breathing having a shower exhausts me they do advise to take care and check weather conditions before you go out
Hi Philippe, I definitely have problems with humidity. I'm on oxy 24hrs and keep it on in shower but it still exhausts me.
Hi philipjr,
I have emphysema.
I have become very affected by humidity in showers, weather etc. Find it very difficult to cook and insist my husband puts lids on the pans when he is boiling something. I become very breathless. After a shower I open the window regardless of how cold it is. I also have to have windows open if I dry anything on radiators.
😥
I used to love a hot shower but now can only have cool ones. Even they affect my breathing. I have to have the door and window open and then close them once I'm out because its cold! It also takes me ages to shower and dress now. Good job I'm no longer working, I'd have to be up ridiculously early!
Yes my friend they tax me much.I sat a fan to draw the humidity out it works but I still have to be careful
Humidity can have such an effect on breathing. I find when the barometric pressure is high I am much more breathless😟
Definitely! I live in northeast United States and the humidity during June and July and into August make life pretty miserable. It feels like trying to breathe through a wet wash cloth.
I agree with you it’s the same for me used to dread having a shower for that reason.Seems a lot better since I bought a small chair for the shower. Hope you improve.
Hi I have very severe copd , and why the doc doesn’t agree showers bath and steam can’t affect your breathing is very wrong . Bathing became quite an ordeal for me a few years ago now . Like someone else said I often have to resort to a strip wash. But I do miss having morning showers or evening baths . Keeping a window open is so cold during the winter for me. Roll on the warmer weather ,Hot bubble baths and an open window will be so welcome.x
Hi just read your post I am at stage four so having a shower is equal to a fit person climbing the the North face of the Eiger, I have acquired a shower stool with the handles to help me to stand.I now get a face cloth soak it with gel do my top quarter, more gel middle, third legs feet ,fourth you know where, Then switch on the shower and sit until I’m free from gel, and I didn’t use too much breath. A lot of of gel but who cares ,you should try it, certainly helps me good luck philipjr.
Thanks for your advice, Janet, I do have a shower stool, but what I now do is turn on the shower to get wet, turn it off to soap myself down, then turn it back on to wash off the suds.That minimises the amount of steam, and makes showering bearable.
I can't bend down, when seated, as that knocks the wind right out of me, but I can manage to lift my feet onto the seat (one at a time! 😁) to wash them, without getting quite so winded.
I do miss having a nice long soak in the bath, or even having a long, relaxing shower, though.
It's funny how it's the small things that you miss the most.
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