Most Common Pulmonology Issues in Summers

Many people suffer from lung and respiratory problems in summer. They suffer from lung problems in summer due to dry weather, high temperature, and excess humidity. The most common pulmonology issues in summers include bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and emphysema. The heat of the sun or high temperature can affect the airways and can produce inflammation that can affect the normal functioning of the respiratory system. This can lead to aggravation of the symptoms of respiratory diseases in summers.

How does summer affect the functioning of your lungs?

In the summer, the air becomes very dry, the humidity level increases in the air, and there is a sudden change in the temperature. All these factors are responsible for causing common respiratory issues in summer. Patients suffering from previous respiratory problems such as bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema may experience an aggravation of symptoms. They may experience difficulty in breathing and other symptoms.

During summers, allergens also increase due to warm and humid weather. This causes the increased presence of dust and mites in the air. This can also affect the lungs. Such allergens are more harmful to children and cause many respiratory problems in children.

The pollution level increases during summer and it becomes difficult for people to breathe properly.
The body needs more oxygen during hot and humid weather. When the body does not get enough oxygen it will cause rapid breathing.

The pollen count also increases during summer which can also aggravate the symptoms of respiratory problems. People suffering from respiratory problems can experience more wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath in summer.
Studies suggest that hot air aggravates the irritation of lungs in the people suffering from respiratory problems such as allergic rhinitis. This occurs due to the activation of cells in the upper respiratory tract. The pollutants present in the air cause inflammation of the membranes of the lungs and produces symptoms. Inflammation of the airways causes constriction of the air tubes that causes shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing.
During summers, the temperature becomes very high and the air becomes dry and traps dust, mites, and other pollutants. This also causes aggravation of respiratory symptoms in people suffering from respiratory diseases, causing dry lung symptoms.

In summers, people sweat more and may suffer from more loss of fluids from the body which can lead to dehydration. This makes the nasal passages dry. The bronchial tubes and airways also become dry due to which people may experience shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing.

How to manage respiratory issues in summers?

If you suffer from any kind of respiratory problems in summer you can take some preventive measures to reduce the risk of aggravation of symptoms. You can adopt the following measures:

• Anyone suffering from an allergic problem must take the treatment given by the doctor, especially during the summers.
• One should avoid going out in hot and humid weather to prevent the aggravation of the symptoms. If you want to go out, you must go out in the evening. Also, keep the doors and windows of your house closed to keep the inside temperature cool.
• Use a humidifier inside your home to reduce the risk of allergens. Also, keep the environment inside your house cool and free from dust and mites.
• Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet to boost your immune system because a strong immune system helps to fight against environmental pollutants and harmful allergens easily. Eat fruits that contain more water content. One must include fruits such as watermelon, oranges, raspberries, etc.
• Take proper supplements such as vitamins, folic acid, and minerals to boost your immune system and prevent respiratory diseases.
• You must check the weather updates regularly. Check the temperature and humidity level in your area. You must check the air quality index and pollen count before stepping out of your home. If there is a high pollen count and dust particles in the air avoid going out as they can aggravate the symptoms of respiratory disease. You can start experiencing more cough, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing. You can go out with a face mask to reduce the risk of inhaling harmful air pollutants.
• Avoid stepping out of your home during the peak hours of the summer which is normally between 12 and 3 pm. You can finish doing work in the early morning or late in the evening when the air becomes cool.
• People who smoke must quit smoking for maintaining good lung health. They must also avoid drinking alcohol as it can cause dehydration and can aggravate the symptoms of respiratory problems.
• One must wear comfortable and loose clothes in summer. You must choose to wear light-colored clothes in summer when going out or even when staying indoors.
• Avoid doing excessive strenuous exercise in summer because excessive exercise will lead to loss of fluids in the form of sweat from the body and this can cause dehydration. Dehydration will cause dryness of the air passages and less oxygen supply to the lungs and other parts of the body. This will aggravate dry lung problems related to the respiratory system.
• Try to keep your body temperature low by taking frequent showers. You must cover your head when going out in the sun. Harmful sun rays can cause heat stroke and this will cause less oxygen supply to your brain due to improper functioning of the lungs.
• Keep your air conditioners and air coolers clean during summers to keep the environment clean and healthy inside your home.

Conclusion

In summers, hot and humid weather can affect people in different ways. People suffering from previous respiratory health problems are at a greater risk of suffering from severe respiratory issues. Therefore, such people should drink enough water during summer to keep their bodies well hydrated. They should avoid going in the sun to prevent dehydration and prevent their body from the harmful effects of environmental pollutants.
If you experience the severe aggravation of your respiratory symptoms you must call your doctor immediately. Sometimes acute aggravation of the symptoms can prove to be fatal. Therefore, always keep in touch with your doctor to avoid aggravation of lung problems in summer. Besides, following a few tips and consulting within time can keep your respiratory system functioning properly and effectively in summer.