Tips for managing COPD in cold weather

According to the American Lung Association, sudden changes in weather and extreme temperatures may trigger chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms, such as increased coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. People living with COPD often experience a sudden increase in symptoms, called a flare-up or exacerbation, during the colder winter months.

If you have COPD, follow these tips from the American Lung Association to help prevent flare-ups this winter.

Get vaccinated

Make sure you are up to date on your vaccinations to prevent other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and pneumonia. Respiratory infections make it harder to breathe and can worsen COPD symptoms. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. Talk with your doctor to see if you also need a pneumonia vaccine, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, or a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Make it easier to breathe

On cold or windy days, wear a scarf loosely around your face or wear a mask when outdoors. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. This will warm and moisten the air before it reaches your airways. Cold, dry air irritates airways and can make it harder to breathe. Use a humidifier at home to add moisture to the air to help prevent flare-ups.

Exercise indoors

Limit outdoor physical activities when the temperature is around or below 32 degrees.  Strenuous activity in cold, dry air can increase your risk of a flare-up. When it is very cold outside, exercise indoors at a gym or by doing at-home workouts instead. Blue Cross of Idaho members can get access to discounted gym memberships through Blue365.

Stay away from smoke

Minimize your exposure to smoke, including cigarette smoke and smoke from fireplaces, campfires, wood-burning stoves, burning leaves, and forest fires. On days when outdoor air quality is poor due to smoke in the area, stay indoors as much as possible.

Avoid sick people

Stay away from people who are sick and avoid crowds and crowded indoor spaces. This can help you avoid exposure to other illnesses. Remember to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face and eyes to help prevent the transfer of germs.

Don’t have a doctor? We can help.

Having a provider who you see regularly for all your primary care needs is an important part of getting and staying healthy. Blue Cross of Idaho members can find an in-network provider in a few different ways.

On the Blue Cross of Idaho member website

Log in to your member account and select Find Care. There, you can search and find a list of providers in your network.

Use our member app

Log in to the Blue Cross of Idaho member app and select Find Care to search for care, at home or on the go. From there you can search for the name of a provider or select an option like Urgent Care or Medical Care to find a list of results.

Download the member app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

 

Written by: Blue Cross of Idaho

Posted: December 6, 2024