People who experience shortness of breath should avoid exercising outdoors in cold weather, cover their nose, mouth, and ears when going outside, and limit exposure to cigarette smoke to reduce respiratory irritation.
Cold weather can lead to serious problems for the respiratory system. Extremely low temperatures can constrict the airways, resulting in a range of symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, increased mucus production, coughing, and disrupted breathing.
To mitigate these effects, individuals who suffer from shortness of breath can implement the following measures.
Exercise Indoors
When cold temperatures cause respiratory discomfort, it’s advisable to exercise indoors or in a gym. If the weather permits outdoor exercise, first warm up indoors for at least 15-20 minutes to raise body temperature before heading outside to work out.
Cover Your Nose, Mouth, and Ears
Cold air lacks moisture and can be very dry, causing discomfort for the respiratory system and increasing feelings of shortness of breath. Individuals should keep their airways warm by wrapping a scarf around their nose and mouth, wearing a wool hat to cover their ears, using a mask, and dressing warmly when going outside.
Breathe through the nose instead of the mouth to warm and humidify the air being inhaled. This prevents shortness of breath and chest tightness related to bronchial constriction due to cold air.
Drinking enough water, wrapping a scarf around your nose and mouth, and wearing a wool hat helps keep the respiratory pathways warm. (Illustrative image: Freepik).
Avoid Heating with Wood Stoves
Individuals with lung or respiratory issues are more sensitive to cigarette smoke and smoke from wood stoves than healthy individuals. Exposure to toxic particles found in wood smoke can irritate the airways and exacerbate shortness of breath. To keep warm, families should consider using electric heaters or non-polluting heating systems instead of wood stoves.
Avoid Triggers of Shortness of Breath
In addition to temperature changes, other environmental factors can also cause shortness of breath. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 harmful chemicals, which can obstruct the airways. Smoking combined with exposure to cold air can intensify symptoms of shortness of breath.
Other potential irritants include various types of smoke, outdoor allergens, high humidity and temperature, pesticides, cleaning products, mold, and dust.
Use Medication as Prescribed
Patients should also take their medications as prescribed by their specialist to minimize the effects of cold weather. Those suffering from both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should use their medications regularly to control inflammation and reduce airway sensitivity when temperatures change.
Inhalers containing bronchodilators help to open and relax the airways, making it easier for patients to breathe. This is particularly beneficial when going outside in cold weather, especially for those who enjoy walking or exercising outdoors.
Practice a Healthy Lifestyle
Daily healthy habits also contribute to easier breathing, such as a nutritious diet, appropriate exercise, preventing respiratory infections, managing stress, and staying hydrated.
If the cause of shortness of breath is unclear or affects daily normal activities, patients should seek specialized medical advice.
