Cold air can be irritating and drying to the mouth and airway passages, and can trigger or intensify symptoms for those suffering from COPD. The effects of cold weather on COPD do not permanently exacerbate the condition, but they can temporarily compound the condition by constricting airflow to a greater degree.
People with respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or severe asthma, can be particularly susceptible to the effects of cold weather, finding themselves shorter of breath and coughing more than usual.
People with respiratory disorders, such as COPD and asthma, often find their symptoms are worse in cold weather. In fact, cold environmental conditions significantly increase COPD exacerbations and hospital admissions.
Especially if your COPD is diagnosed early, if you have mild stage COPD, and your disease is well managed and controlled, you may be able to live for 10 or even 20 years after diagnosis.
Many people will live into their 70s, 80s, or 90s with COPD.” But that's more likely, he says, if your case is mild and you don't have other health problems like heart disease or diabetes. Some people die earlier as a result of complications like pneumonia or respiratory failure.
In an article titled “The Health Benefits of Ocean Air“, the Lung Health Institute claims that breathing in salt-rich air can benefit certain medical conditions, such as pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. The article also lists medical studies showing evidence that this type of salt therapy can: reduce mucus. reduce coughing.
How can you manage your COPD during the colder months? Dr Sanghvi recommends covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or mask when you go out in winter time. This can help to warm the air before it reaches your airways. He also advises staying inside and avoiding strenuous activities where possible.
Cold weather, and particularly cold air, can also play havoc with your lungs and health. Cold air is often dry air, and for many, especially those with chronic lung disease, that can spell trouble. Dry air can irritate the airways of people with lung diseases.
According to the Lung Institute, Florida is ranked as one of the best places to live if you have COPD. Factors such as low pollution, sprawling metropolitan areas and Florida's Clean Air Act make Florida's air some of the cleanest you'll find!
Avoid Strenuous Outdoor Activities: When the temperature dips, it's better to stay indoors and avoid going outside. Performing any type of strenuous activities (i.e. shoveling snow, jogging, skiing, etc.) can put your lungs at risk of exposure to dry air and cause you to experience a flare up of symptoms.
Weather that's too humid or not humid enough can make it harder to breathe when you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease that gets worse over time. Changes in humidity and temperature can trigger a flare-up.
Outdoor allergens can be irritating for people with COPD, and spring is the prime-time for air pollution. Between dust, pollen, and smog, outdoor pollutants in May through September can easily trigger COPD exacerbations.
Water is very important for your body to be able to function properly. For example, water helps regulate your temperature, gets rid of wastes and lubricates your joints. It is very important for people with COPD because it helps to thin mucus making it easier to cough up.
Often, patients live with mild COPD for several decades before the disease progresses to moderate or severe. However, each patient is unique. Although it is not as common, some COPD cases quickly progress from mild to moderate in just a few months.
There is no cure for COPD, but disease management can slow disease progression, relieve symptoms and keep you out of hospital. Treatment aims to prevent further damage, reduce the risk of complications and ease some of the symptoms. Treatment options include pulmonary rehabilitation, medicines and oxygen therapy.
Since people with COPD have more sensitive lungs, being around any type of irritant can make the condition worse. Avoid things like secondhand smoke, air pollution, dust and fumes from chemicals, paint or cleaning products, as well as mold and mildew.
Breathe Through Your Nose
“If you combine breathing through the nose with face covering, that should go a long way toward preventing the tightness in the chest, the shortness of breath, and the cold-induced bronchospasm.”
According to the Lung Institute, swimming is a great cardio exercise that's kind on your joints. That being said, some may find that the chemicals used in pools aggravate their COPD, so salt water pools or natural bodies of water may be a better option in nice weather.
Long-term oxygen therapy has been shown to help COPD patients who have severely low blood oxygen. This therapy involves breathing in oxygen through a nasal tube or mask.
CONCLUSION. For most passengers, even those with respiratory disease, air travel is safe and comfortable. Some patients with COPD may be at risk but, with screening, these patients can be identified and most can travel safely with supplemental oxygen.
Some people can live with mild or moderate COPD for decades. Other people may be diagnosed with more advanced COPD and progress to very severe disease much faster. Some of this boils down to genetics. But some of it is due to how much you smoke or smoked and the level of lung irritants you are exposed to.
The 5-year life expectancy for people with COPD ranges from 40% to 70%, depending on disease severity. This means that 5 years after diagnosis 40 to 70 out of 100 people will be alive. For severe COPD, the 2-year survival rate is just 50%.
With proper treatment, the disease doesn't have to limit how long you live, even if it's severe COPD.