How Can the Winter Affect the Health of Your Lungs? Expert Describes
Lung care is especially crucial in the winter for many reasons. Your respiratory system may be adversely affected by the chilly air, leading to pain and breathing issues. Using heating systems inside may also dry up the air, which can irritate your respiratory system and increase your chance of developing respiratory issues.
Additionally, the winter months usually see an increase in respiratory conditions like the flu and colds, which is dangerous for your lungs. By maintaining your lung health with practices like staying warm, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding smoking and other pollutants, you may reduce your risk of becoming ill, breathe better, and have a healthier winter overall.
In an exclusive interview with Jagran English, Dr. Puneet Gupta, the Head of Pulmonology, Intervention Pulmonology, and Sleep Medicine at Yatharth Hospital in Noida Extension, discussed how to keep your lungs healthy during winter.
According to Dr. Puneet, “winter air pollution can have a substantial negative influence on lung health, with particular atmospheric conditions frequently leading to an increase in severity.” Many places have temperature inversions during this season, which trap pollutants close to the ground. As a consequence, dangerous compounds such carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and others are present in higher amounts. Winter’s calm, chilly air keeps pollutants from dispersing, resulting in stagnant, contaminated air masses. For people who are worried about their respiratory health, the combined impact of these variables make the winter months especially difficult. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a widely used tool for real-time statistics on air quality in metropolitan areas. It rates air quality from “good” to “hazardous.” People may assess the level of pollution in their neighborhood and make well-informed judgments about outdoor activities by routinely monitoring the AQI.”
Furthermore, he said, “Those who have pre-existing lung conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory infections, and respiratory allergies, should use their inhaler or respiratory medicine on a regular basis. If they experience any of the following symptoms: fever, change in sputum color, fall in Spo2, coughing, irritation of the throat, or increased breathing, they should see a healthcare professional (a pulmonologist).” They may evaluate lung function and provide advice on how to modify treatment regimens to more effectively combat the negative effects of wintertime pollution. This is the time of year when lung function has to be closely monitored since any decline needs to be treated right away. Enhancing the quality of air inside is another practical step. Purchasing a high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter can greatly improve respiratory comfort by assisting in the removal of indoor airborne contaminants. To guarantee the air purifier’s continuous efficacy, regular maintenance is required. Additionally, several indoor plants greatly improve air quality in homes and workplaces, such as areca palm, snake plant, money plant, aloe vera, etc.”
Finally, Dr. Puneet said, “People should think about limiting outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise, on days when pollution levels are noticeably high, as it can lead to increased inhalation of pollutants.” During these times, choosing indoor workout options may greatly lessen the effect on lung health. Exercise or outdoor activities might be moved to the afternoon when the sun brings up the temperature. Wearing a mask designed to filter out particulate matter and other pollutants is advised while going outside on days with heavy pollution, particularly in the morning, late evening, and at night. When driving, keep your vehicle window closed to minimize your exposure to smog. Another strategy to lessen the effect of cold air on the airways is to dress warmly.”
