UK Health Security Agency has issued heat health warning, as temperatures are likely to hit the mid-30 degree Celsius, which is hotter than Bali this week. The officials have warned that this heat is likely to affect your health, which includes the potential rise of death, especially among people over the age of 65s as well as people with pre-existing health conditions. When high temperatures hit, they can significantly impact your health, particularly your lungs. With a heatwave expected, people with lung conditions like asthma are advised to be especially careful. How Heat Affects Your Lungs According to the Canadian Lung Association your body works to maintain a stable internal temperature, but this requires extra energy during extreme heat and humidity. If you have COPD, your body is already using a lot of energy just to breathe. The additional strain from trying to stay cool can impact your breathing and increase the risk of a flare-up. Similarly, for people with asthma, extreme temperatures can cause the air to become stagnant and trap pollutants, which can also trigger an asthma attack. It's also important to know the signs of heat stroke and when to seek medical attention. If your lung symptoms worsen, and your action plan isn't helping, contact your doctor. If you can't reach them, go to the emergency room. In hot weather, it's not just the heat you have to worry about. High levels of pollen and air pollution often happen at the same time. These can also make it very hard to breathe. They can even lead to more people needing to go to the emergency room. A study by Asthma + Lung UK found that one out of every three people with a lung condition said that hot weather made their symptoms worse. Tips for Staying Safe in the Heat To help manage your symptoms during a heatwave, consider these recommendations: Stay in a Cool Environment When it's hot and humid, especially if the air is polluted, the safest thing to do is to stay indoors. Try to find a place that has air conditioning and clean air. This could be your home, or you can visit a public place like a library, community center, or shopping mall. Keep Your Home Cool Close all your windows, doors, curtains, and blinds during the day. This helps to stop the sun and heat from getting inside. If your home doesn't have air conditioning, you can open a window at night to let in the cooler air, but only if the air outside is clean and not polluted. Using fans can also help move the air around and make you feel cooler. Avoid Strenuous Activity Try to avoid hard work, intense exercise, or any other strenuous activities. The hottest part of the day is usually between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you need to go outside, it's best to do it early in the morning or later in the evening when it's not as hot. Stay Hydrated and Dress Appropriately It's very important to drink lots of water all day long to stay hydrated. If you go outside, wear loose, light-colored clothes. This helps your body stay cool. Wearing a hat will also protect you from the sun. Monitor Air Quality Look up the Air Quality Index or Air Quality Health Index for your area. This will tell you how clean the air is and if it might affect your breathing. Know Your Symptoms and Medication Always have your rescue inhaler with you, and take your other daily medicines exactly as your doctor told you to. Be aware of the warning signs that your condition is getting worse. This might include more coughing, feeling short of breath, or having more phlegm. If you have a COPD action plan, follow it as soon as you notice these symptoms.
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