Steps to Managing Outdoor Triggers for COPD Patients

Most COPD patients learn to recognize the environmental conditions that trigger breathing difficulties. Two of the most common environmental triggers are the weather and air pollution. You can learn to adjust your schedule and how you prepare for the weather if you need to be out of your home.

Weather

People with COPD may have reactions to changes in the weather, and these reactions are quite individual. Some have more trouble with cold weather, others with warm. Some may prefer some humidity in the air, others need dry air. Often the best approach when faced with extreme cold or high levels of pollution is to stay at home if possible.

In most cases, breathing cold air causes the most difficulty for people with COPD, because it narrows their airways and restricts air flow into the lungs.

¨ In colder weather, wear a scarf over your mouth and nose, or pull a turtleneck over your nose.

¨ Wear a cold-weather mask, made of comfortable, soft sponge and available at many drugstores or medical supply stores.

¨ Breathe in through your nose rather than your mouth when you are outdoors. This helps filter, warm, and humidify the air before it enters your lungs.

¨ Use your bronchodilator about 30 minutes before going outside to open up constricted airways.

Pollution

The air you breathe outdoors contains many pollutants that may be harmful to your lungs. Outdoor pollutants can cause severe symptoms, such as chest tightness or coughing, along with burning of the eyes or throat.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issues an Air Quality Index rating for most of the United States. The color-coded index is issued daily and gives an indication of how likely the air is to cause problems for people with and without breathing problems. As air quality moves into the orange range, the air becomes unhealthy for people in sensitive groups, such as those with COPD. If the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches a level that could impact your health, you will benefit from taking measures to avoid the outdoor air.

Air Quality Index

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issues an Air Quality Index rating for most of the United States. The index is issued daily and gives an indication of how likely the air is to cause problems for people with and without breathing problems.

The color-coded index has five levels from Green, good air quality through Yellow and Orange and to Red, Purple and Maroon. The darker the color the more hazardous the air quality. When the Air Quality Index indicates Green, the air quality is good. As air quality moves into the Orange range, the air becomes unhealthy for people in sensitive groups, such as those with COPD. If the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches a level, Orange through Maroon, that could impact your health, you will benefit from taking measures to avoid the outdoor air.
Steps to take:

¨ Listen to the weather forecast to get the day's air quality index, especially in warmer months.

When air quality is unhealthy:

¨ Stay indoors as much as possible

¨ Limit outdoor activities to the times when the ozone level is lower, usually in the early morning or after sunset.

¨ Exercise indoors when ozone levels are high.

¨ Stay away from heavy automobile traffic areas.