central heating

[Osha]

Hello all I hope this finds you in good spirits.

My question is does anyone get bad breathing when the central heating goes on. I live on a ground floor flat so leaving a window open is not an option. I start to feel very groggy and tired.

[Spacecat1]

I'm the same. My breathing is awful but I have to be fair to hubby so have on for awhile.

[Osha in reply to Spacecat1]

Thank you Spacecat it is a problem. I have a heated throw to use when I switch heating off I was beginning to worry about something being wrong with the heating system! If we hear from other people on this forum perhaps we’ll find a solution

[sassy59]

Hi Osha, l can’t really help because Pete’s tired all the time so I can’t blame the heating. It’s not on for too long though as l get so hot.

Hoping you find a solution. Xxxx

[Osha in reply to sassy59]

Thanking you sassy. It’s hard to find the answer. I’m always cold but when the heating is at 20 I’m ok but then the grogginess comes on. Can’t find a happy medium

[Patk1 in reply to Osha]

Perhaps turn it off Osha at 19-19.5

[Patk1]

I'm ok as long as it doesn't go above 19.5-20.so I tend to have it on for short periods

[Osha in reply to Patk1]

Thank you Patk. The good thing about this forum is that you find out you’re not the only one which is a kind of relief!

[Yoga2011]

if my heating is too warm and I sit down , I start to feel sleepy so I have to start moving around! Have you a carbon monoxide detector just to be on the safe side?

[Osha in reply to Yoga2011]

Thank you Yoga. Yes I do have carbon monoxide detector. Moving around is a good idea

[Nula2]

Hi Osha, I don't put the central heating on until I really have to. Like you it affects my breathing which makes me very anxious. I wear lots of layers and use heat pads and heated throws as long as possible. I wish I had electric heating as I get on fine with that xxx

[Osha in reply to Nula2]

That is so true Nila. Electric heating would be better but probably rather costly. I stayed in Ireland with a friend for the weekend. She had oil central heating which didn’t affect me at all even when she left it on overnight

[leo60]

Hi Osha! I am the same as you in that I can't find a happy medium! I hate being cold , it makes my hands hurt (RA) and I go into sort of hibernation and can't get anything done. If it's too warm I just can't breathe.

I stayed with my dad last week, he has oil fired heating and I found it just the same, though maybe it was cos he kept turning it right up !!

Hope you find the solution, and when you do, let me know! xx

[andy121]

I fall asleep soon as I put heating on. I’ve just started using a dehumidifier to remove moisture it takes the chill out of the air so not needed heating on so far, also cheaper then heating.

[armstrong2]

hi no l dont but have found when in the car if heating goes on l feel uneasy breathing

[Dottie11]

If I am too hot I dehydrate and this effects my lungs/breathing also. Central heating dries the air. But then again too much moisture is also bad. I find temp 19.5 pretty good. But sometimes 20 is a must if weather very cold. Moving around helps our body work better full stop. I would love to be one of those people that can happily snooze by a warm fire and wake up fine. But for me I feel awful. Good luck. xx

[leo60 in reply to Dottie11]

I was just coming back on to say exactly that! I find when the weather cools down, I forget to drink as much water and get dehydrated. Humidity is a no no for me also!

I'm off to make some nice thick soup for supper, take care xx

[Dottie11 in reply to leo60]

Snap. I eat lots of soup in the winter. My tea is light so soup and some bread most nights. It helps with my sinus issues too. Take care too. xx

[leo60]

Mmmmm, keeps you warm from the inside! Lots of veggies and always some ginger in it as well! That would clear your sinuses!

Have a lovely evening xx

[Osha in reply to leo60]

I could really do with something to clear my sinuses. How do you take the ginger. Fresh or powder

[Patk1 in reply to Osha]

I've chronic rhinosinusitis too.i do use a steroid nose spray,antihistamines but whn bad, I find sterimar decongeestaspray( salt) v good.air purifier for cpl hrs in night helps mine too...roll on spring!

[leo60 in reply to Osha]

I have ginger tea bags and add chopped fresh ginger. I also put it (fresh chopped) into soups and stews. Try the tea, I clear mine by inhaling the stream!

Good luck xx

[DizzyLiz57]

Think I am the opposite to others from reading the comments! I find the central heating being on dries the air so I use a humidifier! I have Raynaud's so I need to keep warm. Both cold and dry air make me cough more and give me sinus pain xx

[Shirazmataz]

is it that the dry air of having the heating on causes you problems? How about putting bowls of water near your radiators?

[bluepettals7 in reply to Shirazmataz]

snap.. i posted before i saw your post, great minds eh?

[Izb1 in reply to Shirazmataz]

I have some pots that I fill up with water and they hang on the radiators x

[bluepettals7]

put a bowel of water in a safe place in the room away from all electrics, i have heard that takes the dryness out of the room caused by central heating.

[Izb1 in reply to bluepettals7]

You can buy radiators pots that hang on the radiators for this, just keep topping up the water x

[Osha in reply to Izb1]

Thanks to all your replies. I will look into water pots

[Izb1 in reply to Osha]

I got mine from Amazon x

[Osha in reply to Izb1]

Thanking you Izb

[Fircone]

well I’m the complete opposite to everyone else. I love being warm! We have oil central heating, the boiler is outside. My husband is paralysed and gets cold very easily so our home needs to be warm. I breathe so much easier in warm air so it suits us both.

[Ergendl in reply to Fircone]

I'm similar, Fircone. Love the central heating on. I have a thermometer and humidity gauge which tells me if I need to adjust the heating or use the dehumidifier. If it makes me sleepy at times, that's fine - it's OK to have a nap.

[Fircone in reply to Ergendl]

I have an antique barometer on the wall and I’ve noticed that once the air pressure needle goes past midday my breathing is so much better. I use air purifiers, one upstairs and one in the sitting room and a dehumidifier in the sitting room. I only use it when the humidity is high during winter months. I live in a very old cottage so I keep the radiators on low in the bedrooms I don’t use and occasionally open the windows (no double glazing!) to keep condensation at bay!

[Osha in reply to Fircone]

I can remember my parents having a barometer on the wall. Very useful these days with our changing weather and also with our bad breathers

[Fircone in reply to Osha]

It helps me when I’m having a bad breathing day, I check the barometer and if the needle is to the left of midday I know it’s likely because the air pressure is low and not necessarily an exacerbation.

[Osha in reply to Fircone]

That’s such a good idea. I may look into buying one

[Ergendl in reply to Fircone]

Funny you should say that, Fircone - we have two banjo-shaped barometers, at different ends of the house. That makes us sound very grand which we're not: it's just the way we added the extension to keep the sounds of my music practice away from the other half's 40" screen TV sport.

[Fircone in reply to Ergendl]

Mine is a banjo barometer. I inherited it from my grandparents 🥰

[Cappuccinolife]

yes I definitely notice a difference but I don’t like being too warm indoors anyway. Me and the hubby have thermostat wars as he loves to be warm 😂

[gingermusic]

I find that once the central heating goes on if I get to hot my breathing is affected

[Lutontown]

You need to get your CH checked for Carbon Monoxide leaks! You can buy a CO warning device.

[Osha in reply to Lutontown]

I have one

[annaemmalucy]

Hi OSHA have you tried putting bowls of water around your flat? I do a long with my salt lamp seems to help me

[Osha in reply to annaemmalucy]

If I put water bowls down my dog seems to think I do it for her

[Izb1 in reply to annaemmalucy]

Get those that hang on the radiators, they are much better x

[annaemmalucy in reply to Izb1]

Yes I've got those too

[Izb1 in reply to annaemmalucy]

I bought my first lot in Germany years ago when my daughter was young as she always had a bad chest x

[SimonJJJ]

Ventilation is the key

[Eastend555]

Yes drink a lot of water if you can and use your blue inhaler if you have one stick your head out of the window but when its cold you got to put the heat on

[Osha in reply to Eastend555]

The blue inhaler does not do a lot for broncheactesis

[Eastend555]

ok i have copd but i wish you well

[annaemmalucy]

Ha ha place them out of reach. It really helps.

[Jaybird19]

i have wzrmwzr air heztihezheztihe

I have warm air heating. It is great.

blown around the house to enter each roo m through

vents in walls and floor.

[Maximonkey]

Hi Osha, I too suffered with this problem until I began to realise that with the heating on the air was very dry. You can put water around the house and this will help but I prefer oxygenating plants. These plants keep the oxygen levels up and the water in the plants helps with the dry heat. The plants do not need to be expensive but will give you pleasure as well as great air quality. Good luck, Maximonkey

[Osha in reply to Maximonkey]

Thanks maximonkey. I have just one plant to help with oxygen perhaps I’ll buy some more. Yesterday I was out and my cylinder tank was a bit low so I relied on fan therapy which is a great help while sitting in a car. I don’t know why but I seem to have finished my supply too quickly this week. All the best to you

[Shalz]

Through the years I’ve found the temperature with my central heating that suits my lungs the best.

I run it at 15 and as the weather gets colder I put it up by another degree, but never past 19, since that’s when my lungs won’t tolerate it.

I use thermal underwear all the time, except for sleeping. Blankets and a heating pad when sitting relaxing.

Plenty of diverse fluids to make sure I do not become dehydrated, which central heating can make worse. I actually use my lips, if they get dry I know that it’s too warm in the room. Headaches etc can also come from this.

I open my window at regular intervals, just enough to refresh the air in the room, since it becomes stale with heating etc, refreshing the air!

I use a dehumidifier when necessary, but set at 60% so as not to dry out the home too much.

You have to find that which helps you to breath more comfortably.

Other than these things I struggle to walk these days( not lung related) but I try to walk outside in fresh air everyday, even if it’s only 25 minutes. Movement where possible is exercise. Even sitting in a chair, you can do movements to keep the muscles surrounding your lungs as strong as possible. Naturally a good diet. I eat smaller portions every 3 hours, less bloating.

Most of all I find the air quality in my home help to keep me breathing more comfortable.

Find your sweet spot for your lungs!

Stay as well as possible folks! 💗