Weather changes are one of many factors that can trigger your COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)symptoms. Symptoms of COPD, which include shortness of breath, cough, and phlegm production, tend to get worse for some people when the air is very cold and when it is hot and humid.
"Weather extremes are not good," says Barry Make, MD, co-director of the COPD program at the University of Colorado in Denver. Dr. Make says that temperatures below freezing or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit tend to cause COPD symptoms to flare up.
When It's Cold and Windy -
Cold air and strong winds are known triggers for the worsening of COPD symptoms. Many people with COPD find that cold air can make it harder to breathe, leading to shortness of breath and wheezing. Frigid temperatures can also cause fatigue. "COPD patients just feel like they are more tired after they've been in the cold," explains Make.
Windy days can be practically problematic. "If COPD patients go out when it is windy and have to walk against the wind, there is more resistance," says Make. Therefore, it requires more exertion to walk, which can be difficult for someone with COPD.
If cold and windy climates bother you, try wearing a scarf or face mask loosely over your nose and mouth, and breathe through your nose on wintry days. The winter muffler and breathing through your nose warms the air before it enters your lungs, which can help
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