7 Tips for Protecting Your Lungs in the Frigid Temperatures

If you’re an individual living with a lung disease, you’re likely very aware of how the weather can impact your ability to breathe. Typically, patients living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are impacted by extreme temperatures that often make it difficult to breathe. In the summer months, extreme heat can cause a flare-up or an exacerbation, which can lead to excessive coughing, shortness of breath or chest tightness. Intense summer heat and dryness can also create dust or pollen and airborne pollutants, which can aggravate the lungs as well. For many IPF patients, breathing is difficult and coughing is ever present in many of the hot and humid summer months. Unfortunately the same can be said for extreme cold temperatures.

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If you’ve experienced a classic Canadian winter, you know temperatures can plummet into negative temperatures. Last week in Canada, there were evenings of extreme cold and alerts were issued across many of the provinces as temperatures dropped to -40°C in some areas. These temperatures can make breathing difficult for people with healthy lungs, and are particularly dangerous for those living with a lung disease such as IPF. Many patients with lung diseases choose to stay inside during these frigid temperatures. However, it is inevitable that there will be a need to brave the cold for things like errands, appointments, social events etc., and when doing so, it is important to protect your lungs from the bitter cold.

1. Keep oxygen tubing inside clothes
When bundling up to go outside in the extreme cold, it’s important to zip your oxygen tubing up inside your clothes. Having it remain on the outside risks the stiffening of the cannula and oxygen tubing, potentially reducing the flow of oxygen to patients. By keeping it inside your jacket or clothing, it is not as exposed to the elements and won’t harden as quickly.

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2. Pre-heat the vehicle
Whenever possible, have someone pre-heat the vehicle you will be riding in. A warm vehicle will provide a quick reprieve to your lungs after breathing in the bitter cold air, and will help your body warm up more quickly.

3. Put a scarf over your nose and mouth
Some patients find this suffocating, but as long as the scarf isn’t too tight, it really helps to lock in the warm air you are exhaling. It is important not to do this for too long, but for quick trips in the cold, it is nice to be able to breathe in warm air.

4. Avoid carrying/transporting items yourself
In sub-zero temperatures, breathing can be difficult for people with healthy lungs, but carrying items can cause excess exertion for those with IPF, which can be dangerous in the extreme cold. Excess exertion can lead to wheezing, dizziness and shortness of breath, so whenever possible have someone else carry or transport items for you in frigid temperatures. This includes having someone else carry or lift your oxygen.

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5. Drinking a glass of warm water when returning indoors
This isn’t a proven tactic, however, patients seem to find it helpful in reducing the burning sensation of the lungs after exposure to the cold. The water shouldn’t be hot, but instead lukewarm or room temperature, and drinking it slowly seems to coat the lungs and reduce the burning or stinging sensation after being outside.

6. Park car in a garage
This is particularly helpful to avoid having to remove snow off the vehicle, or scrape ice from the windshield. Having to do this increases exposure time to the cold, and contributes to the excess exertion while outside.

7. Use rescue puffers liberally
Some patients with lung diseases still use various types of puffers, such as inhaled steroids, rescue inhalers or maintenance medication via turbuhalers. Keeping these readily available for use is important at all times, and is particularly important during extreme temperatures such as cold and heat. If a coughing or shortness of breath episode occurs during cold exposure, don’t be afraid to use the rescue inhalers prescribed to you liberally.

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