People with chronic lung diseases know that extreme temperatures can worsen their condition.
When it is hot outside, your body works harder to regulate its temperature. The increased sweating can lead to dehydration, which in turn can cause shortness of breath. It is important to keep yourself cool to prevent this from happening.During a heatwave, sunlight reacts with air pollutants and creates more ground level ozone in the air. Ground level ozone makes it difficult for your lungs to absorb oxygen, it is created from harmful pollutants that lie low within our atmosphere. This can result in breathing difficulties, irritation in the nose and throat, as well as coughing and wheezing. High humidity levels further exacerbate the situation, making breathing even more challenging. As humidity rises, the air becomes denser, making it harder for those with chronic lung issues to breathe comfortably.
Admiral Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recently addressed the Health Heat Index (HHI), highlighting the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations, including infants, children, seniors, and workers exposed to extreme heat. HHI was introduced as a resource aimed at enhancing community preparedness for severe heat events. This innovative tool provides heat-health outcome data at the ZIP code level. It will enable state and local officials to pinpoint and assist areas most at risk for heat-related health complications. It can be accessed at https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/Applications/heatTracker/
What can you do?
- Make sure to keep taking your maintenance medications as prescribed.
- Always have your rescue inhaler and spacer with you.
- Avoid the heat. Stay in air-conditioned placed as much as possible.
- Stay out of the sun, especially from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. when it is hottest.
- Reduce strenuous activity. This does NOT mean you can skip your pulmonary rehab. Rehab will help, even during these hot days.
- Drink cold water and avoid alcohol, which can cause dehydration.
- Eat normally, but smaller meals, lower salt, and cold foods like fruits and vegetables.
- Use a handheld or large fan. If using a large fan, do not point it directly at your face as they can get dusty.
The effects of heat on COPD patients cannot be underestimated, but with proper planning and management strategies, individuals can easily navigate hot weather.