Cold, dry air can irritate the airways and cause them to narrow, leading to coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or a feeling of tightness in the chest. Matt Swallow, clinical lead at the British Lung Foundation, told The Independent that breathing through the nose helps warm and humidify the air before it reaches the lungs.
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Who is most affected by the cold?
Symptoms may worsen for people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Older adults, young children, smokers and people with weakened immune systems may also be more vulnerable. In winter, respiratory viruses such as influenza spread more widely, and they can make symptoms of chronic lung disease worse.
Five steps to protect your lungs
1. Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf when you go outside, to warm and humidify the air before you breathe it in.
2. Start exercise gradually and avoid intense exertion in severe cold.
3. Get the vaccines recommended for you to reduce the risk of serious respiratory infections.
4. Follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor, and carry your reliever inhaler with you if one has been prescribed.
5. Seek medical advice early if breathlessness increases, new wheezing appears, your phlegm changes colour or increases in amount, or you develop a fever.
When should you call an ambulance?
Call an ambulance immediately if you have severe difficulty breathing, cannot finish a sentence because of breathlessness, or feel very drowsy or exhausted while struggling to breathe.
