Summer heatwaves and hot weather can affect anyone. But Head of Lung Health, Professor Graham Hall, explains that if you have a long-term lung condition like asthma or cystic fibrosis, you’re more at risk of the heat affecting you.
“With a chronic lung condition, you are already using much of your energy just to breathe. When you are in extreme heat your body uses more energy while working hard to keep cool. If it gets too hot, this can affect a person’s breathing,” Professor Hall says.
“Hot weather can cause your symptoms to flare up, too.
“Levels of allergens such as pollen in the environment increase with higher temperatures. This can trigger symptoms if you have a lung condition.
“Breathing in hot dry air can cause airways to contract, making it harder to breath and causing shortness of breath.”
Here are Professor Hall’s top tips to look after your respiratory health this summer:
- Be prepared. You never know when symptoms may strike so always have your reliever medication with you if you have asthma.
- Stay cool. On extremely hot days, it may be best to stay indoors to avoid the heat.