Managing Winter COPD Symptoms: Get Expert Care When You Need It

Winter in Chicago means fantastic light displays, holiday markets, family traditions, and sparkling snow. It also ushers in cold, dry air and high winds that aggravate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Our caring team at Michigan Avenue Primary Care specializes in managing chronic health conditions like COPD. We also create care plans to prevent COPD flare-ups and provide prompt walk-in treatment if winter triggers acute COPD symptoms.

Let’s explore COPD, how it affects your lungs, the effects of cold weather, and what you can do to stay healthy this season.

About COPD

COPD refers to two chronic lung diseases that begin when structures inside the lungs are damaged and long-lasting inflammation develops. Smoking cigarettes is the top cause, but exposure to other environmental dusts and toxins can also lead to COPD.

The two primary COPD conditions are:

Emphysema

Emphysema occurs when the lung’s tiny air sacs are damaged. These sacs transfer oxygen from your lungs to your bloodstream. They also take dangerous carbon dioxide out of your blood.

The main symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath. You may also have a mucus-producing cough, wheezing, and chest tightness.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis develops when structures that move excess mucus out of your airways are damaged. As a result, mucus builds up, causing the primary symptom: a mucus-producing cough.

COPD worsens in winter

Winter poses two risks to people with COPD:

Symptom aggravation

Your lungs need warm, moist air to stay healthy and function. That’s why the air you inhale is warmed and moisturized as it passes through your nose and the tubes leading to your lungs.

In the winter, the air is so cold and dry that it can reach your lungs before it’s sufficiently warmed or humidified. The cold air increases your risk of COPD symptoms and a flare-up because it irritates your lungs, increases inflammation, and tightens the airways.

Seasonal respiratory infections

Winter is the peak season for the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Though the COVID-19 risk is currently low, the virus still circulates and also peaks in winter.

Seasonal respiratory infections can cause serious complications in people with COPD. You may develop pneumonia, an acute COPD flare, and such diminished lung function that you need hospitalization.

Tips to protect your lungs

You can offset the impact of cold air on your lungs and lower the risk of a winter flare-up by following these guidelines:

Cover your nose and mouth

A scarf warms the air you inhale and protects you from cold wind. You can also combine a scarf with a face mask for extra protection. Face masks increase the air’s humidity and protect you from winter viruses.

Breathe through your nose

Your nose warms and moistens the air. Breathing through your mouth lets cooler air reach your lungs.

Carry quick-relief medication

Carry your bronchodilator at all times so you can get fast relief during a COPD flare.

Get vaccinated

Protect yourself from COPD complications by getting a yearly flu shot. We may also recommend other vaccinations to prevent illnesses affecting your lungs, such as RSV, pneumonia, COVID-19, and whooping cough.

Avoid other triggers

In addition to cold air and wind, having the flu, a cold, or sinus infection may trigger COPD symptoms. If you have allergies, there’s a good chance your allergen (pollen, mold, dust, and others) activates COPD flare-ups.

Smoking, breathing secondhand smoke, and being near a wood-burning stove or fireplace also aggravate COPD.

Use a humidifier

The air inside is also drier in the winter. Using a humidifier restores moisture your nose, mouth, and skin needs.

When to seek medical care

You may have warning signs before a COPD flare develops, such as:

• More coughing or shortness of breath than usual
• Changes in the amount, thickness, or color of your mucus
• Feeling unusually tired
• Leg and ankle swelling
• Difficulty sleeping 

Connect with us if you have any concerns about your symptoms and want to prevent a full-blown COPD flare.

Seek immediate medical care at our walk-in clinic if your rescue medication doesn’t help or your symptoms keep getting worse.

 Call 911 for emergency attention if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Severe chest pain
• Severe shortness of breath
• Blue lips or fingers
• Confusion

Difficulty breathing may make it hard to speak in complete sentences.

Expert COPD care

Schedule an in-person or virtual visit through online booking or by calling Michigan Avenue Primary Care. We also welcome walk-in patients at Michigan Avenue Immediate Care.