As the weather gets colder, it also becomes the prime time for chronic airway diseases to strike. Are you prepared to prevent chronic airway diseases?
Be on Guard Against the Three Major Chronic Airway Diseases:
During the autumn and winter seasons, individuals with bronchial asthma are more prone to acute exacerbations. Bronchial asthma has numerous triggers, and the frequent and abrupt weather changes characteristic of these seasons can significantly impact patients. As the body's resistance may decrease due to the colder weather, viral respiratory infections become a common trigger for asthma attacks.
Additionally, certain allergenic plant pollens and dust mites tend to increase in concentration during the spring and autumn seasons. When temperature and humidity are favorable, these conditions can also promote bacterial growth. Low atmospheric pressure can cause pollens and irritant gases to accumulate near the ground, increasing their concentration and making them easier to inhale.
Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often experience acute exacerbations during the autumn and winter seasons. When the body is fatigued, exposed to cold, or when resistance is lowered, individuals are more susceptible to upper respiratory infections, which can lead to a worsening of COPD symptoms.
This type of cough is relatively stubborn, and common anti-inflammatory and cough suppressant treatments are often insufficient to effect a cure. Many people do not pay enough attention when the treatment is ineffective, thereby missing their optimal timing for effective treatment.
Experts suggest: if the cough is stubborn, individuals should go to the regular hospital to further improve the examination.
How chronic airway diseases can survive the harsh winter
Appropriate exercise is one of the most economical and effective means to prevent the onset of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbations. Engaging in activities such as brisk walking, jogging, practicing Tai Chi, and performing breathing exercises can enhance muscle activity, improve respiratory function, and strengthen overall physical health. When exercising, it's important to stay warm, and sessions should ideally last about 30 minutes.
Proper nutrition. It is also important for COPD patients to eat a balanced diet, because malnutrition not only impairs lung function, but also weakens the body's immune function. Patients usually should eat more vegetables, fruits and dairy foods, reasonable supplements of vitamins and calcium, eat less raw, cold, spicy and greasy food.
Improve body immunity, keep warm and prevent colds. In the winter season, COPD patients can appropriately apply some immunomodulators or inject influenza vaccines and pneumonia vaccines according to their conditions to improve their immunity.
To avoid indoor air pollution, especially during the cold winter months when most families keep windows and doors closed to retain warmth, it's important to ensure proper ventilation. Closed environments can lead to poor air circulation, which may facilitate the growth of bacteria. It is recommended to regularly open windows for ventilation; ideally, do this in the morning, at noon, and in the evening, each time for 15-20 minutes, to maintain a clean living environment.
Bronchial Asthma
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Persistent Cough
Quit smoking. Smoking cessation is currently the most important measure to slow the rate of lung function decline in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. In the winter, when the disease is most likely to occur, every COPD patient must absolutely quit smoking (including avoiding exposure to second-hand smoke).
