COPD and asthma Archives - Dr. J C Suri

Blog admin March 4, 2024

6 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Your Pulmonologist

1. Transparent Communication

Be open and transparent about your medical history, including past conditions, allergies, and medications. Provide details of any previous tests or treatments you've undergone, such as X-rays, CT scans, or spirometry reports. Your pulmonologist needs this information to gain a comprehensive understanding of your health status and tailor the treatment accordingly.

It's important to remember that your past medical records won't speak for themselves; you must articulate your experiences and concerns to your pulmonologist accurately.

2. Consistent Medication Adherence

Even if you're feeling better, it's crucial to adhere to your prescribed medications diligently. Conditions like asthma and COPD often require long-term management, and discontinuing medications prematurely can have adverse effects on your health.

Follow your pulmonologist's instructions regarding medication dosage and schedule. Set reminders or enlist the help of a family member to ensure you stay on track with your treatment plan.

3. Honest Lifestyle Disclosure

Don't hesitate to disclose any unhealthy habits, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, to your pulmonologist. They are there to help you, not to judge you. Your lifestyle choices can significantly impact your respiratory health and influence the course of your treatment.

By being honest about your habits, you enable your pulmonologist to make well-informed decisions regarding your care plan.

4. Importance of Exercise

Regular exercise plays a crucial role in managing respiratory conditions like COPD. Contrary to popular belief, staying physically active can improve symptoms, boost stamina, and enhance overall well-being.

Start with gentle exercises and gradually increase the intensity as your fitness improves. Consider participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program to receive specialized guidance and support.

5. Weight Management Matters

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for optimal respiratory function. Excess weight puts additional strain on the respiratory muscles and can exacerbate breathing difficulties.

Work towards achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Consult your pulmonologist for personalized advice on weight management strategies.

6. Prioritize Quality Sleep

Adequate sleep is vital for respiratory health and overall well-being. Aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to support optimal lung function and immune response.

Prioritize sleep hygiene practices, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a conducive sleep environment. Address any underlying sleep disorders with the guidance of your pulmonologist.

In Conclusion

Before your appointment with a pulmonologist, ensure you're well-prepared by considering the above tips. Open and honest communication is key to effective treatment, so don't withhold any information from your healthcare provider.

Remember to stay consistent with your medication, adopt a healthy lifestyle, prioritize regular exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and prioritize quality sleep. Your pulmonologist is your partner in respiratory health, so trust their expertise and follow their guidance for the best possible outcomes.

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Blog admin December 2, 2022

It’s Almost Winter. Here’s How Cold Weather Affects Your Breathing

Cold weather can lead to runny noses, and not just because of flu season.

Colder air may feel wonderful after a long summer, especially if you’re exercising outside. But as the temperature drops, breathing might become more stinging.

You might be curious about how breathing in cold weather is affected when you feel the sting of the cold air in your lungs. Most of the time, a slight burn subsides as you become used to the chilly temps.

However, those who have certain respiratory diseases, including asthma, may be more in danger from cold air.

Cold air is dry air

It’s not always the cold that causes problems with cold air. Our lungs look strong enough to withstand temperatures below zero. Ask any athlete who participates in winter training in the north.

The fact that cold air carries significantly less moisture than warm air is the bigger issue. Additionally, if you have respiratory problems, the dry air may make it difficult for you to breathe.

The dry air in your house, heated by a furnace or boiler, can dry out the mucus in your sinuses even when you’re not outside, which makes it simpler for infections to take hold.

That chilly, dry air can irritate the airways and result in respiratory symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath for anyone who has asthma, COPD, or other lung conditions.

Cold air means more mucus

Your body may overcompensate by making more mucus when your mucus dries out in cool, dry weather. Your blood vessels enlarge as a result of the cold air entering your nose, increasing mucus production. Because of this, you frequently have a runny nose when you come inside from the cold.

Again, mucus plays a crucial role in keeping your airways clean, avoiding infections, and maintaining the moisture in your lungs and nasal cavity. Although it is a natural response, it may worsen congestion and other symptoms if you have ongoing breathing issues.

Flu season doesn’t help

Through a seasonal increase in cold and influenza viruses, cold weather can also have an indirect impact on your ability to breathe. Both the typical cold and the flu can produce an increase in mucus production.

This extra mucus can then enter the lungs as phlegm, worsen lower respiratory symptoms, and cause coughing.

More mucus and phlegm can worsen asthma symptoms or other respiratory conditions even among otherwise healthy individuals. According to 75% of people with asthma, cold and flu viruses can exacerbate their symptoms.

These viruses spread more readily in the winter because cold weather keeps us indoors and inhibits some of our normal immune responses (like when it dries out our mucus).

This can make it hard to tell if the symptoms you have are just from breathing cold air or because you’re coming down with something.

Generally speaking, if your symptoms subside when you leave the cold, the chilly air was likely the cause. If not, there might be more going on, in which case it might be time to see a doctor.

Also, keep in mind that you should always tell your doctor if you experience any sudden or inexplicable shortness of breath.

How to get relief and stay healthy

Take special care during the colder months if you are prone to breathing issues because of asthma, COPD, or other respiratory disorders. Here are a few tips to help you stay as healthy as possible when the cold air hits your lungs and airways.

1. Breathe through your nose. Your nose warms and moistens cold air more effectively than your mouth, so breathing through your nose may help reduce discomfort from cold air.

2. Put a scarf over your nose and mouth. This creates insulation against the cold air and traps some heat from your breath.

3. Stay hydrated. You become dehydrated more rapidly in dry air, therefore it’s crucial to increase your hydration intake in the winter.

Maintaining hydration will keep your mucus and phlegm moist, improving the insulation of your lungs and nasal passages against the cold.

4. Use a humidifier indoors. When the air inside your home is already bone-dry, it can be difficult to ward off the dry air outside. You can avoid drying out before you even step outside by using an indoor humidifier.

5. Make sure you keep your medicines in stock. If you take quick-relief medications for COPD or asthma, make sure you have them on hand and ready to go before you venture outside in the cold. If you begin to experience symptoms, take your medications as soon as possible.

6. Monitor air quality. In people who have respiratory conditions, air pollution can make their symptoms worse. Keep an eye on the forecast for the quality of the air, and when pollution levels are high, stay inside.

Most of the time, cooler air has no discernible impact on how we breathe. Usually, it just denotes some minor discomfort. But not everyone can say that. You can discover that cold air aggravates your respiratory conditions, such as asthma, COPD, or other one.

Additionally, your health can vary, and certain diseases may increase your vulnerability to respiratory problems. Consult your doctor if you find it more difficult to breathe in the cold and make sure you’re ready to go outside.

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Blog admin December 23, 2021

Can cold weather affect your lungs?

We know how to protect our skin from injury once we’re out in sub-freezing temperatures.

But extreme cold can also affect very important organs, such as the center and lungs. For example, a cold will make your heart beat faster, which will increase your pressure.

“It’s a different matter. However, the body responds to cold,” “The body’s first response is to stay in the heat. Thus the blood vessels constrict to stay in the heat. The center also beats faster, Due to which the pressure can increase. All this can have an impact on the Centre.

Hypothermia and the heart

A severe wind chill only makes things more durable on your heart because the wind also steals a lot of body heat, which can lead to a physical condition.

In hypothermia, your core body temperature drops to 95 F. This happens when your body can’t manufacture enough energy to keep the internal blood warm enough. Symptoms include lack of coordination, disorientation, slow reactions, tremors and drowsiness.

For individuals with underlying cardiopathy, the extra work your body needs to do to retain heat can lead to pain and possibly even heart failure.

If you do this often, be sure to debate exercise points with your doctor, especially with strenuous activity.

According to the Yankees Heart Association, heart disease is the explanation for most hypothermia-related deaths.

Once you combine atmospheric conditions with an energetic activity, such as shoveling snow or walking through severe, wet snow or snowdrifts, your heart is under even greater stress. Take frequent rest breaks while shoveling so you don’t overdraw your heart.

You should do this type of strenuous work the same way you do vigorous exercise.
That’s why it’s important to stay well hydrated by drinking fluids and decorating with warmth.

Cold air and your lungs

Cold air can also impact your respiratory – particularly if you have got a respiratory organ sickness like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

For individuals with COPD, cold air will trigger spasms within the respiratory organ, making symptoms almost like associate respiratory disorder.

“You may be extra breathless, or experience out of breath, you would possibly cough or begin to wheeze. You additionally may additionally experience a bit of tightness in the chest”
“All of these can be signs and symptoms that you must get indoors”

Both doctors agree it’s vital to decorate warmly once the mercury drops which layers area unit an honest thanks to insulating your body. The layers entice heat air next to your body.

It’s additionally an honest plan to wear a hat thus heat doesn’t escape through your head. cowl your nose and mouth with a shawl that the air is heat before it enters your lungs.

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