Yes, COPD symptoms often worsen in the winter due to cold, dry air irritating airways, increased indoor pollutants, and a higher risk of respiratory infections, leading to more coughing, breathlessness, and flare-ups (exacerbations), making winter a challenging season for people with the condition.
If you have long-term respiratory conditions like COPD or asthma, winter can worsen your symptoms, often leading to shortness of breath or more coughing than usual. To manage your symptoms, you must be 'weather-wise'.
Key takeaways. Cold weather can worsen chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. Colder temperatures increase respiratory symptoms and rescue inhaler use, but decrease lung function in people with COPD.
Common COPD Triggers
Here are three ways to clear your lungs:
Common signs of COPD exacerbation or flare up:
Indoor temperatures in the patient's home should remain below 80ºF. If they cannot keep the temperature below 80ºF, they should consider moving to an air-conditioned space until the temperature cools. B. If a heat advisory is issued, patients with COPD/asthma should preferably stay indoors in an air- conditioned space.
The time of year when patients experience exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a much-overlooked feature of the disease. The higher incidence of exacerbations in winter has important consequences for patients in terms of increased morbidity and mortality.
The American Lung Association recommends keeping indoor humidity levels below 50%: You can measure humidity levels with a hygrometer (a bit like a thermometer for humidity) and a dehumidifier is a tried-and-tested way to remove moisture from the air.
There are certain things that should be avoided, if possible, to reduce COPD symptoms and the chances of a flare-up, including:
Six of the top 10 states are located on the western side of the country, with Colorado, Hawaii, and New Mexico making up the top three. This suggests that those on the West Coast may be less likely to develop respiratory conditions like COPD, due to better air quality, humidity levels, and average temperatures.
Starting Your Day With COPD
A shower can be easier to navigate than a bath. Make sure air circulates in your bathroom to remove steam, which will ease your breathing. If shower spray on your face worsens your symptoms, lower the showerhead. Sit down to wash.
Winter increases the risk of infections, such as the flu, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses, which can trigger severe COPD flare-ups. Because COPD already weakens lung function, even a mild infection can make breathing more difficult and lead to serious complications.
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.
4Low indoor temperatures and insulation. Cold air inflames lungs and inhibits circulation, increasing the risk of respiratory conditions, such as asthma attacks or symptoms, worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and infection.
If you have less severe flare-up symptoms, you can treat them at home by following the advice on your COPD self-management plan. This usually involves: using a reliever inhaler (short-acting bronchodilator) taking medicines like oral steroids and antibiotics.
For others, living in a dry climate such as Arizona makes their COPD more manageable. If someone has overlapping allergies triggered by mold or dust mites that bother in humid environments, a dryer climate may be beneficial.
Stages of COPD
Managing COPD in cold weather
Coastal areas often boast lower levels of air pollution compared to urban settings. Cleaner air reduces exposure to irritants like particulate matter and allergens, which can trigger COPD flare-ups. Breathing in fresher air can help ease respiratory strain for seniors, making everyday tasks feel less taxing.
The findings of this study suggest that additional indoor cooling may improve COPD respiratory health during the warmer months and that consideration should be given when traveling outdoors in warmer weather.
NUCALA is an add-on, prescription maintenance treatment of eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults whose disease is not controlled. NUCALA is not used to treat sudden breathing problems.
Between 88% and 92% oxygen level is considered safe for someone with moderate to severe COPD. Oxygen levels below 88% become dangerous, and you should ring your doctor if it drops below that. If oxygen levels dip to 84% or below, go to the hospital.
Although any damage done to your lungs and airways cannot be reversed, giving up smoking can help prevent further damage. This may be all the treatment that's needed in the early stages of COPD, but it's never too late to stop – even people with more advanced COPD will benefit from quitting.