Cold weather (Brrr!): With cold weather... - Lung Conditions C...

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Cold weather (Brrr!)

martin1945•

12 years ago•8 Replies

With cold weather (in relative terms for Australia) just around the corner in the Antipodes - I am fully expecting my breathing to become more laboured in the mornings (getting up, shower and breakfast), in fact it has already started (puff! puff!). How does cold weather affect others and do they have any suggestions?

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martin1945

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johnswife12 years ago

hello , i am sure people will get feed up with me say my husband, but my husband always found cold weather hard.cold weather can lead to an exasperation of symptoms and can be an extremely uncomfortabler. The effects of cold air on COPD sufferers include breathlessness and increasing wheezing. This is because cold air can actually narrow the airways.Cold air can be irritating to the airways and makes it harder to breath, so it’s important to try and humidify the air you breathe in. Wear a scarf and cover up your nose and mouth with it; breathing air through the thick material will make it warmer and thus less irritating to the airways. It also helps to breathe through your nose through your mouth, as this also warms the air you take in.

If you have been prescribed with a Bronchodilator, it’s important to use it before you leave the house. Using your Bronchodilator will relax your airways and should go some way towards helping you avoid breathlessness in adverse conditions

• in reply tojohnswife12 years ago

Very good advice from johnswife L)

12 years ago

Winter seems to have gone on and on and on this year, Warm weather good! Cold weather needs to be respected.

Best of luck with your winter.

My tip is to accept that you may get a little more breathless at this time BUT if you are losing your control have a plan. Know what to do and how to recognise, in the early stages, when things are going 'bad'

If you have not already done so, have a chat with your healthcare providers.

Enjoy the day

Lynne195512 years ago

Last winter was my first with COPD. I am fine if its just a bit chilly, but on those really cold, icy days I really noticed it slowed me down a lot.

I used a tip picked up from this lovely site and covered my nose and mouth with a scarf when going out and then bought a snood for the coldest weather.

For Christmas, my lovely husband splashed out on a wool/cashmere coat for me as I didn't have a 'proper' coat and he was worried for me. It was a fantastic present, it's warm, light and comfy.

Lynne xx

Puffthemagicdragon12 years ago

I've just answered the same question elsewhere oddly enough. I work a late shift at work which is outside. It's been about -4 this year and I have no problems at all with my breathing, except, of course, if I over exert myself. On one night last year it reached -10 !

I wear a scarf around my neck in the very cold air but not over my face and a snood which I pull over my mouth if there is a wind with the freezing air.

12 years ago

Sadly, I am not looking forward to the pollen season which makes matters worse. I am to see the consultant with a view to long term antibiotics.

phillips112 years ago

I seem to breathe better on cold days. Perhaps it is because the air is denser? Bob

jandan12 years ago

I think it entirely depends on what you want to do. I find a breath of cold air helps me sometimes but not if I am out and about. I think the idea of a scarf that you can pull up around your mouth is a good one and of course there is always what the Chinese do and that is wear a mask this does not just filter germs but can also filter the cold air you breath in. (you can always decorate your mask ) and remember life is a marathon not sprint so take things slowly.