COPD: Managing your condition through the winter

Cold weather can make your COPD worse – these ideas will help you to stay healthy during the winter.

  • Do not run out of your inhalers and take them as prescribed using the right inhaling technique. For a video reminder of good inhaler technique for different devices, see – www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/inhaler-videos
  • Wear layers of clothing when it is cold – thermal underwear can be very useful, as can woollen tights and socks. Try to keep a blanket or shawl to hand.
  • Wear warm nightclothes during very cold weather.
  • Try to stay as active as possible to help generate heat – get up, move around, and try to do some exercise. Seated exercise will also help if you are unable to stand.
  • The recommended indoor temperatures are 21°C (70°F) for the living room and 18°C (64°F) for the bedroom. Home warmth grants may be available from West Berkshire Council. Tel: 01635 503242, Email: ehadvice@westberks.gov.uk, Web: https://publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk/make-an-enquiry/
  • Keep your home well-ventilated – air quality inside the home becomes more important in winter months as most of us spend more time there. Avoid using home freshener scents as they can be irritating to airways.
  • Do not sleep with your bedroom window open as a cold nose can allow replication of the rhinovirus, the most common cause of colds which can then trigger a flare-up of your COPD.
  • Check the weather before going outdoors, and stay indoors if it is less than 5°C (41°F) when possible.
  • If you have a Bronchodilator Inhaler (blue rescue puffer), use it half an hour before going outside.
  • Make sure you carry your Bronchodilator Inhaler with you at all times as cold air can sometimes tighten the airways, making it harder for you to breathe.
  • Try to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth as this helps to warm the air before it gets to your lungs. Cover your nose and mouth with a mask or scarf when outside.
  • Use a face mask for protection from viral infections when in company or shopping, and avoid contact with people who are ill where possible (e.g., those with a cold), as colds are a common trigger of COPD flare-ups.
  • Patients with COPD should have the Seasonal Flu jab every year, get COVID-19 vaccines as recommended, and have had a Pneumovax (Pneumonia) injection, which is only needed once for most patients.
  • If you are concerned about managing your COPD over winter, contact your surgery.