The Holidays Increase Your Risk for Flare-Ups. Here's How to Prevent Them.
The holidays are here—the joyous time of year when we celebrate with our family and friends and enjoy our favorite foods, either at home or on the road.
But for people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), the holidays present numerous health challenges. In fact, research shows that COPD flare-ups tend to increase over the holidays.
To help ensure your holidays are both happy and healthy, we offer the following simple yet valuable tips.
1. Watch What You Eat
By all means, enjoy your holiday meal—within reason. Stay away from foods that are rich and filling, which can trigger COPD flare-ups.
Eating too much too fast may make it harder to breathe. Take your time, take small bites, and chew your food thoroughly. Limit salty foods and keep alcohol to a minimum.
2. Be Careful in Crowds and Have Your Medications
Avoid peak travel times to minimize your exposure to crowds of people. Also, if you are in a crowd—at the airport, for instance—wear a mask. In addition to COVID-19, other airborne viruses and bacteria, such as pneumonia and the flu, can be serious for people with COPD.
Before traveling, go to your doctor to make sure your prescriptions are up to date. And remember to pack all your medicine, such as inhalers, in your carry-on bag. Do not pack them in luggage that is being checked. You need to have access to them.
3. Be Weather Wise
Bundle up! Cold weather can make breathing difficult, so don’t spend time outside if temperatures are low. Wearing a mask helps warm air before you breathe it into your lungs.
If you want to take a walk or do other outdoor activities, schedule them for the warmest time of the day.
4. Beware of Scents
Christmas trees and fireplaces may smell great and make your home feel comfy and festive, but they can also trigger flare-ups. Consider electric candles or fireplace displays.
Of course, keep your distance from strong scents such as perfume or hairspray as well as from people who are smoking, including e-cigarettes.
5. Get Your Rest
It’s natural—you’re with family and friends and you want to spend as much time as possible with them. But it’s important to conserve your energy. Be sure to get plenty of rest. You may even want to plan a rest period each day.
Apria is a leader in COPD management
We offer custom treatment plans, work closely with your physician’s office care team to manage your COPD through its many stages, deliver a wide range of treatment options, and provide ongoing monitoring to optimize your treatment. Learn more.
References
1. Johnston NW, et al. The Christmas season as a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. Can Respir J. 2010;17(6):275-281.
2. 5 Ways to Have a Healthier Holiday Season When You Have COPD. University of Maryland Medical Center. https://www.umms.org/bwmc/health-services/pulmonary-disease/copd/support-resources/5-ways-to-have-a-healthier-holiday-season-when-you-have-copd.
3. D’Amato M, et al. The impact of cold on the respiratory tract and its consequences to respiratory health. Clin Transl Allergy. 2018;8:20.
4. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/living-with/.
5. Wiginton, K. (2021, January 4). Household Hazards for People With COPD. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/features/household-hazards-for-people-with-copd.
6. COPD: Conserving Your Energy. Cleveland Clinic. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9449-copd-conserving-your-energy#:~:text=Plan%20periods%20of%20rest,Avoid%20working%20long%20days.
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