Weather and temperature changes can trigger COPD symptoms. Here's what you can do.
Weather changes are one of many factors that can trigger your COPD 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 National Jewish Health and professor of medicine 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.
COPD and Weather: 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 prevent your symptoms from worsening.
Dealing With Hot, Humid Air
While there are a few people whose COPD symptoms improve in humid weather, most people's symptoms flare up on days of high heat, humidity, or smog. This can especially be an issue when a front moves in that brings humidity, says Make. "A lot of people with COPD tell you that they know when a front is going to come because of a change in their symptoms," he says.
To prevent a flare-up on the hottest and most humid days of the year, stay indoors in an air-conditioned room. "If it is a high-pollution day, we suggest that our COPD patients stay inside and limit their activities," notes Make. "If it is really hot or really cold, we would say the same."
Should You Move?
Seasonal exacerbations of COPD symptoms can be so bad that people will move across the country in an effort to manage their condition. "One of the most common questions we get is what part of the country is best to live in because of the weather," says Make.
In the past, physicians commonly recommended moving to the western United States, where the air is less humid. But it is now known that the COPD-weather connection is very individualized. "It is variable from person to person," says Make. "Some people prefer more humidity and some less."
It is usually not necessary to move when you have COPD, but if you live in a climate with extreme weather changes and moving is an option for you, talk with your doctor. If you decide to move, spend an extended vacation in the new area before you permanently relocate there.
"If people are going to think about moving somewhere for the weather," Make says, "be there during each season of the year." That way you will know if the move will provide year-round improvement of your symptoms.
The best advice for people with COPD is to pay attention to your symptoms during different weather conditions. With help from your doctor, you can learn how to minimize weather-related flare-ups.
