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Fall/Winter Advice
For Respiratory Patients
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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.
Cleaning
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
a-plenty 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 ($40-60) 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.
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