Cold weather can be especially harsh for those with respiratory issues, making winter an extra challenging season. For individuals with chronic lung conditions, the drop in temperatures and icy conditions can trigger flare-ups and worsen symptoms.
Dr. Andy Whittamore, a GP and clinical lead at Asthma and Lung UK, shed light on four chronic lung conditions that tend to deteriorate in winter. From asthma to more uncommon ailments like bronchiectasis, Dr Whittamore has opened up on the best ways to keep yourself safe in the colder winter months.
If you or someone you know struggles with respiratory health, these expert insights can make a big difference this winter season.
Asthma
“Asthma is a lung condition that comes and goes, so people might get symptoms one day and not the next,” explains Dr Whittamore. “Symptoms include a cough, breathlessness, wheezing and a tight chest.
“They can be set off by a number of triggers, including viruses, cold weather, exercise, stress, and even hormones, or a combination of those things.”
Many people’s symptoms worsen during the winter period. “We call this an exacerbation or a flare up, when you get increasingly breathless, wheezy, coughing, and sometimes it’s really hard to tell those symptoms apart from the virus or whatever is in the background as well,” says Dr Whittamore.
Personalised asthma action plans are necessary for people with asthma. “In some cases, they’ll be told to increase their inhalers for a little bit, or to start a different treatment at home, but if that isn’t working, then they need to be contacting their GP or practice nurse as soon as possible,” explains Dr Whittamore.
The GP also stresses the importance of taking preventer inhalers regularly. “Take your preventer inhaler regularly, even if you’re feeling well, because it calms down the inflammation in the airways,” advises Dr Whittamore.
“Then when things come around, like a virus or infection or cold weather, that inflammation is less likely to rise up and cause them symptoms. Also, carry a reliever inhaler with you at all times because if you do get caught out by something aggregating your asthma, then you have got treatment to take quickly to get on top of your symptoms.”
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
“COPD is a condition where there is narrowing of the airways, increasing mucus, and people experience coughing and breathlessness. It’s often due to long-term irritation within the airways,” says Dr Whittamore.
“The most common reason for that is smoking, but also some people with poorly controlled asthma can get it, and there’s also other causes such as air pollution. This time of year when there’s lots of bugs going around, people are more likely to have that affect their COPD.”
This condition is most common in older adults. “COPD becomes more obvious and more common as you get older,” notes Dr Whittamore. So, we start to see it in some people in their late 40s, but generally it tends to be people in their 50s and 60s who have smoked for 20 years or more.
“The most important thing everyone with COPD can do is to stop smoking, but there are also inhalers which can help prevent flare ups and also help to open up their airways.”
Pulmonary fibrosis
“Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition where there is damage to the bits between the lungs connecting all the tubes and all the air sacs,” explains Dr Whittamore. “And what that means is the lungs become less efficient, and people can’t get in as much oxygen.
“So, that sort of damage and scarring between the active bits of the lungs means that people find it harder to breathe and often they have low oxygen levels and a cough.”
Therefore, getting an infection over the winter can become a major issue. “If somebody with already low lung function or low oxygen levels is having a problem with an infection, then they’re more likely to get even lower oxygen levels and struggle, and as a result will need hospital care,” says Dr Whittamore.
“The earlier we treat things, the quicker we can stop it having a major impact on them. If somebody with pulmonary fibrosis is developing a chest infection, then antibiotics might be the best thing for them. And if their oxygen levels dip low, then they might also need extra oxygen support.”
Bronchiectasis
“Bronchiectasis is a condition where there is damage to the airways and air sacs,” says Dr Whittamore. “Because people with the condition have this damage in airways, a bit like COPD, during this time of year they can get extra mucus and are more likely to get infections, and find it much harder to fight infections.”
Antibiotics are the main treatment for this medical condition. “Bronchiectasis can only be diagnosed by lung scans, but GPs can suspect it if somebody’s getting lots of infections or lots of mucus or struggling to sort of clear their chest,” says Dr Whittamore.
What proactive things should people with lung conditions do during the winter?
Dr Whittamore emphasises the need of taking medication as prescribed and having a plan of action for when things start to go south.
A variety of vaccines are also available to those with lung conditions.
“Different respiratory conditions will be entitled to the flu jab, pneumonia jab, the RSV jab and the COVID jab,” says Whittamore. “And if you’re entitled to any of these, it’s really important to get it early, because all these things circulate during the winter.”
For information on looking after your lungs this winter, go to Asthma + Lung UK’s winter health guide on asthmaandlung.org.uk.
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