Health Advice from Alfi - Autumn / Winter 2014 Autumn / Winter | Page 8

How to
Avoid COPD
Exacerbations

Stay Warm

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD is among the most
serious and common diseases of the lungs. A person with COPD can
experience severe difficulty breathing and is particularly prevalent in
elderly people. The condition can be triggered by ill-health as well as
external factors such as cold temperatures and pollutants. COPD is a
common cause of doctor visits and hospitalisations especially during
the winter months. COPD exacerbations cause extreme discomfort for
sufferers and can be terrifying, so they are best avoided at all costs.
But how do we prevent COPD exacerbations?

Doctors usually advise people who suffer with
COPD to stay warm and avoid cold environments
which can exacerbate the condition. Cold air is
usually an irritant to the respiratory system, and
when one has COPD it