Fall/Winter Advice for Respiratory Patients

Humidity

In the summer, it is sometimes hard for you to think of needing more humidity. But in the fall and winter months, it's extremely important. In fact, two related subjects are equally important - adding humidity to winter-dried air and keeping your humidifying devices germ-free.

Your Lungs require a great deal of moisture - actually 100% relative humidity - to keep their cleansing systems working and you free from infection. The nose provides a great deal of this moisture to incoming air but in wintertime, it is vastly overworked by very dry air. Briefly, here's why cold air is not capable of holding much moisture. When this cold air is heating in your house, the warmer air is capable of holding more moisture but the moisture is not present in the air so the relative humidity drops exceedingly low...often as low as 6 or 7 percent relative humidity. Dry air can be extremely harmful to everyone. To children - it brings on the continual winter sniffles. To people with chronic lung problems, it can cause serious and lengthy respiratory infections...something to avoid if at all possible. Here is what you can and should do:

Drink plenty of liquids - your nose's humidification system needs a lot. Try to drink 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of liquids each and every day. If this means having to make extra trips to the bathroom, drink lots anyway...the exercise will do you good. Drinking most of the liquid before your evening meal should minimize the interruptions during the night. But drink!!!!, water, juices and more water.

Add humidity to the air you breathe. How much humidity you have to add is not easy to answer - but on the other hand, adding too much is almost an impossibility - remember, the air in your lungs contains 100% humidity. Too much humidity can effect your comfort and furniture - a good rule of thumb is - add humidity until water collects in excess on cold windows (some condensation is natural - just wipe it up occasionally).

Room humidifiers can cost anywhere from $5.00 up to hundreds of dollars. Amazingly, the lower price type of humidifiers may be better for you to use...and easier to keep clean. Humidifiers fall into 3 categories: 1) heated steam vaporizers; 2) cold spray type, or 3) evaporation plate/rotary belt humidifier.

Type number three can be most effective and automatic but it can also breed dangerous bacteria which you will breathe if you don't keep them absolutely clean. Daily cleaning can be difficult so, generally speaking, this system is not best suited for respiratory patients.

The heated steam and the cold spray type humidifiers are usually less expensive, $5-25 and are relatively easy to clean each day. Which is better for you is hard to say. There has been a trend towards the cool spray type - particularly for apartments and rooms that run hotter than normal - steam vaporizers only add more heat.

An unclean humidifier can do much more harm than good. Bacteria grows well in moist, warm environments - such as humidifiers. Most harmful bacteria take longer than 24 hours to develop, therefore, you must clean your unit once a day. The cool spray units are probably easiest to clean. A good idea is to get two units - one for the bedroom and one for the TV or living room. The one in use can be cleaned in minutes and left to air-dry.

Some other good living tips for wintertime:

Avoid drafts
Wear a sweater to keep comfortably warm. Open neck sweaters may be fashionable...but not warm where you need it - try a high collar or turtle neck...particularly for going outdoors. When outside
Breathe through your nose - it will help warm the inspired air. On cold days, wrap a scarf around your face - it will help warm the cold, raw air before it reaches your nose. Also, when you first step out, stop and breathe a few short breaths before proceeding - this can save you a few coughing spells. If others have colds
Avoid them. Keep them away from you, out of your rooms...their germs are airborne. If they have to be near you, let them wear a surgical face mask - available from your drug store at a very low cost. Also be sure not to use their plates or utensils. The same thing applies to crowds. Avoid them when possible since there are always cold germs aplenty where there are groups of people. Blow your nose
This may seem like an unnecessary statement to make. But not so; your nose works overtime in the winter - in trapping out dust and germs. An it's always a good idea to use fresh, disposable tissues (Kleenex) so you can throw them away - in paper bags not waste baskets. Exercise
Many people think that when the weather gets bad, exercise such as walking is not practical. Daily exercise is extremely important all year-round so when the weather is bad, walk around the house and climb stairs. Try to do as much as you would if you went outdoors even though it's boring. Exercycles are inexpensive and can give you ample exercise while you watch your favorite TV programs.

Breathing exercises are also important in strengthening the respiratory muscles. If you do not have information on these exercises, ask your doctor. Dust-free air
With the dryness of winter comes a great amount of dust. There are several things you can do to minimize this problem area:

 If you have central, forced air heating, replace the air filters before turning the system on and then they look clean;

Dust frequently but use a dusting agent (such as Endust) which will keep the dust on the cloth. Drapes and curtains should be laundered or dry-cleaned occasionally - take them down carefully to reduce the amount of dust. Vacuum or dust behind radiators. Change vacuum cleaner bags and filters regularly...before they look full or dirty.

Diet and Weight Control
You should try to stay at or a little below your ideal weight. Since eating and digesting food can be exhausting, it is better to eat 5 or 6 small meals than 3 regular meals. Flu shots
In order to minimize the chance of getting flu, many respiratory patients get an influenza vaccination in the fall...before the flu season begins. Ask your doctor if you should get one. Be sure to get plenty of rest the 2 or 3 days before getting the vaccination. Stay away from smokers
You've probably given up smoking years ago. But be aware that smoke from someone else's cigarette can be irritating and can be as harmful to you as if you were smoking it yourself. Ask your friends not to smoke or at least smoke away from you...preferably in another room. When to Call Your Doctor

• When there is an unusual increase or decrease in sputum production;
• when there is an unusual increase in the thickness or stickiness of sputum;
• when sputum is a new color or is tinged with blood;
• when you feel an increase in severity of breathlessness;
• where there is pain in the chest, fever, swelling at the ankles, extreme fatigue or unusual drowsiness;
• when there is a need for more pillows in order to sleep comfortably;
• when there is an unaccountable increase or decrease in weight;
• when there is increased fatigue and lack of energy;
• where there are complaints of frequent morning headaches, dizzy spells, loss of libido and insomnia;
• where there is a development of confusion, disorientation, slurring of speech and somnolence.