Wie man die COPD im Winter in den Griff bekommt

Wie wirkt sich die COPD im Alltag aus?

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD represents a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. COPD includes damage to the small air sacs in the lungs (emphysema) and long-term airway inflammation (chronic bronchitis).

Dr Sameer Sanghvi, GP and Clinical Technology Lead at Lloyds Online Doctor, says common symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, persistent coughs with phlegm and frequent chest infections.

"Day-to-day, people with COPD are likely to have difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity, and may experience persistent wheezing," he says.

"Whilst occasionally getting out of breath is normal and healthy for many of us, persistently getting breathless from normal tasks such as walking up the stairs or hoovering is a signal that something isn't quite right."

However, Sanghvi explains how, unfortunately, many people with COPD aren't diagnosed until the later stages of the disease, or they're simply not diagnosed at all. That's despite the fact that millions of people live with COPD across the country.

Kann sich die COPD im Winter verschlimmern, und wie?

Sanghvi says COPD can be triggered by extreme forms of weather. This includes the heat and cold.

He explains that in the winter, cold and dry air can cause flare-ups. Temperatures below 3°C are particularly dangerous for people with COPD. This is because, when temperatures drop, your body has to work even harder to keep you warm.

Sanghvi adds: "In the extreme cold, your blood vessels begin to narrow. This restricts blood flow and deprives your heart of oxygen. That means your lungs have to work harder to provide oxygen through the bloodstream. This then adds even more pressure to the long-term symptoms that people with COPD experience."

Im Winter können Menschen mit COPD feststellen, dass sich ihre Symptome witterungsabhängig verschlimmern. Es wird angenommen, dass sich die COPD-Symptome im Winter doppelt so häufig verschlimmern wie in anderen Jahreszeiten. Der Auslöser des Winters bedeutet, dass Schübe häufiger auftreten.

Was sind die Anzeichen eines COPD-Schubes?

Sanghvi says that some flare-ups can be managed at home, but others may need immediate hospital attention.

Wie können Sie Ihre COPD in den kälteren Monaten in den Griff bekommen?

Sanghvi recommends covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or mask when you go out in winter time. This can help to warm the air before it reaches your airways. He also advises staying inside and avoiding strenuous activities where possible. This helps to minimise your exposure to dry air and reduce the chance of a flare-up. However, it is important not to avoid exercise altogether - this can worsen COPD symptoms.

Auch Infektionen können Schübe auslösen, daher ist es wichtig, einen gesunden Lebensstil zu pflegen. Waschen Sie sich häufig die Hände und meiden Sie überfüllte Räume. Auch wenn Sie sich im Winter nicht isolieren sollten, sollten Sie darauf achten, wo Sie sich aufhalten, und gute Hygiene praktizieren, um Keime in Schach zu halten. So können Sie vermeiden, sich andere Krankheiten einzufangen, denn Erkältungen, Grippe und Lungenentzündung können zu einer Verschlimmerung der COPD führen.

Wo finden Sie Unterstützung und medizinische Beratung zum Umgang mit COPD?

You should consult your doctor if you are concerned about your COPD or want medical advice on managing it better. The British Lung Foundation (BLF) also has lots of support and resources for people living with COPD.