August 21, 2023 — Emergency Care, Resources
Summer arrives without much warning, giving us little time to adjust to the sudden change in temperatures, which can affect lung health. While the summer season energizes many individuals, it creates challenges for those with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma.
The combination of extreme heat and high humidity during the summer can lead to asthma flare-ups and worsen other respiratory diseases. Many studies have confirmed the link between hot weather and respiratory difficulties.
Your body is constantly working to keep its temperature within a normal range. When you find yourself in challenging weather conditions, like very hot and humid weather, your body needs to expend additional energy to regulate its temperature and cool down. This increased energy usage adds an extra load on your body, causing it to work more.
Your body needs additional oxygen to regulate its internal temperature during extreme heat or cold. The weather can impact lung function, leading to hyperpnea or rapid breathing.
Scientific research highlights the various effects of hot weather on breathing, including:
Throughout the summer, there is a rise in the pollen count in the air. Unfortunately, this increase often triggers respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, particularly in individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma, allergic rhinitis, or COPD.
Research published in the Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology Journal has established that hot air can lead to airway irritation and coughing in individuals with inflammatory upper airway diseases. The activation of thermal sensors in the larynx and upper airways is believed to be the underlying cause of this irritation.
According to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, inhaling hot air leads to airway inflammation, which can result in shortness of breath or bronchoconstriction.
Moreover, hot weather often leads to dehydration, causing dryness in the nasal passages, bronchial tubes, and lungs, which can result in shortness of breath. Studies indicate that hot air can hold more water vapor than cool air, leading to reduced oxygen levels and higher humidity. This can be particularly challenging for those with chronic lung issues.
In addition, during extremely high temperatures, the air tends to become stagnant, trapping pollutants and worsening respiratory symptoms.
By making simple adjustments to your daily routine, you can effectively care for your lungs.
Summer’s extremely hot weather can impact everyone, with those having pre-existing lung conditions facing a higher risk of adverse health effects. While seeking assistance from your local ER is an option, families should take the initiative to protect themselves before heading out.
In case you or any family member experiences breathing difficulties due to the extreme summer heat, Physicians Premier, your Corpus Christi ER, offers 24-hour services and accepts walk-in patients. Keep this information readily available to handle any emergencies effectively.
Sources:
“Tips to Save Yourself from Summer’s Deadly Heat Waves,” American Lung Association, https://www.lung.org/blog/heat-waves
“Breathing hot humid air induces airway irritation and cough in patients with allergic rhinitis,” Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1569904814000974?via%3Dihub
“Bronchoconstriction Triggered by Breathing Hot Humid Air in Patients with Asthma,” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/rccm.201201-0088OC
“How to protect your lungs on hot and humid days,” Breathe The Lung Association, https://www.lung.ca/how-protect-your-lungs-hot-and-humid-days