The effect of weather on the health of the lungs

Arab Weather - It is known that winter, especially in cooler and louder regions, is the most difficult season of the year for people who suffer from lung problems and respiratory diseases, and that breathing cold air has negative effects on the lungs of these people.

Cold air is often dry, which may cause problems for people who suffer from chronic lung diseases, as dry air irritates the airways, especially in people who suffer from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or bronchitis, causing coughing and distress. Breathing, wheezing or wheezing.

The effect of weather changes on asthma

Asthma causes a narrowing of the airways, causing difficulty breathing, which often occurs as a result of the body's response to a specific allergic irritant, but cold air can also make breathing difficult for asthmatics, and it may lead to irritation Asthma attacks in some cases.

In cold climates, the risk of catching colds and colds increases the difficulty of breathing, and people spend more time indoors during cold climates, which increases the risk of exposure to asthma irritants such as dust mites, cockroaches, cigarette smoke, heaters, and others, which increases The risk of developing asthma attacks.

It is recommended that people with asthma exercise caution during cold weather, keep their medications with them at all times, avoid exposure to cold air as much as possible, and wear appropriate clothing to prevent them from developing any potential health problems.

In addition to the effect of cold weather on asthma patients, the high temperature and humidity conditions can also cause irritation and the development of asthma attacks in these patients, and extremely high temperatures may cause stagnation of the air, which leads to an increase in the pollutants that irritate asthma in the air, thus increasing the risk. Having asthma attacks.

The effect of weather changes on bronchitis

Bronchitis results from an infection in the bronchi or bronchi, which is the main route for air from the mouth and nose to the lungs, which is often caused by a viral infection, and the virus that causes colds can also cause inflammation of the bronchi, especially In people who suffer from lung problems, such as asthma patients or smokers.

The cold, mild, humid weather that accompanies the winter season can aggravate and worsen the health of people suffering from bronchitis, and may lead to increased difficulty breathing, which requires a visit to the specialist doctor.

The effect of weather changes on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Weather changes also affect patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as some studies indicate that high temperatures, above 32 ° C, can cause an increase in the severity of symptoms in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as A large part of the energy used in the breathing process is consumed in the body's attempt to control its temperature in cases of extreme heat, which affects the person's ability to breathe.

In addition, high temperatures increase the humidity of the air, as exceeding the relative humidity of the air by 50% leads to an increase in the heaviness of the air and the difficulty of its breathing, in addition to that the moist air provides an appropriate environment for the growth of fungi and mold, and the carrying of dust mites, which may increase The risk of COPD flare-up.

In contrast, very low temperatures that range around 0 ° C may also pose a risk for COPD patients, as extremely cold air is often too dry to carry less water, and breathing this type of dry air may lead to Drying out the mucous membranes, which makes it difficult for these membranes to secrete the fluids used to expel germs such as bacteria and viruses, and dry mucous membranes may cause an increase in allergy symptoms, which leads to the deterioration of COPD, as lung infections and allergies are one of the irritants. For this disease.

Wind intensity may also affect COPD patients, as windy weather increases difficulty breathing, and increases the risk of exposure to irritants such as dust and pollen, and some studies have linked thunderstorms with increased asthma attacks, which means that thunderstorms may affect as well. In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rapid changes in the weather have also been linked to an increase in COPD symptoms such as shortness of breath, as it is believed that the rapid change in air pressure resulting from weather changes may cause this as a result of a decrease in the absorption capacity of the air to carry oxygen, although the change in air pressure may It is minimal, but this change is sufficient to trigger some symptoms in COPD patients.

The effect of weather changes on inflammation of the lungs

Repeated inhalation of certain organic materials, such as dust, fungi, or mold, causes an immune response in the body, which may lead to severe lung infections (English: Pneumonitis). Cold weather negatively affects lung inflammation, as it causes difficulty breathing and increases the difficulty of expelling carbon dioxide from the lungs.

Prevention of the effects of negative weather changes on the lungs

It is recommended that people with health problems related to the respiratory system in particular, and healthy people in general follow the following tips to prevent or reduce the negative effects of weather on the lungs:

• Get the flu vaccine, and take preventive measures to avoid contracting the flu, such as maintaining clean hands, and avoiding people with flu and colds.

• Wearing appropriate clothing for different weather conditions, wrapping a scarf around the nose and mouth in cases of low temperatures, and making sure to take breaths through the nose and exhale through the mouth.

• Follow up of weather forecasts, and avoid going out in bad weather if possible.

• Keep medicines for rapid control of asthma attacks or chronic obstructive pulmonary always close, and use them and stop performing any activity if symptoms start to appear.

Source: Cura