Cold weather tips for better breathing during winter season

The coldweather is here again and with it the holidays. When temperatures are forty degrees or below, the air is drier, which is bad for people with breathing problems. This is because dry air can irritate the airways, which can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing orworse.

In addition, the holidays present some conditions that youmay not realize could affect your breathing. You can take steps to protect yourself in the cold winter days and nights and protect you during the festive season.

If theweather is particularly cold, windy or snowy, avoid going out. If you go out, dresswarmly and keep your feet dry and your head covered. It is also important to use a scarf or face mask to cover your mouth and nose. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth under the scarf. If you use oxygen, keep the oxygen hose under your coat to keep the air aswarm as possible. Do not exercise outside.

Don’t burnwood in fireplaces or use wood-burning stoves. Thesemay cause smoke build-up. Instead, use alternative heat sources. Good options are space heaters, central heat andwarm blankets. Also, stay away frompeople who are smoking cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes and any other device that produces smoke. And if you smoke, quit.

It is also important towatch what you eat. The holidays bring a lot of treats and large meals, but overeating can actually affect your breathing. Oxygen and food are the main ingredients for metabolism, which creates energy and carbon dioxide. Because of this, getting the right mix of nutrients in your diet can help you breathe better. Eating too much maymake it harder to breathe. Similarly, eating foods high in sodium can affect your blood pressure causing swelling in the body, also known as edema, sowatch your salt intake.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol can also affect your breathing, so you should keep it to aminimum. Research studies have shown that consuming alcohol actually leads to decreased lung function in patients with lung disease. Alcohol can also lower the body’s ability to clear mucus fromthe airways and it interferes with howwell some medicationswork, like steroids and antibiotics.

Stay away frompeople who are or might be sick, especially with a cold, the flu, pneumonia or COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Avoid crowds, especially if someone is notwearing a face mask. Wash your hands frequently. Get flu and pneumonia shots to protect yourself. Take all the medicines your doctor has prescribed you, and followthe directions on the bottle.

Using these tips can keep your lungs safer this cold winter season.