Why does hot weather cause problems for people with respiratory disease e.g. emphysema?

Answer 1

With an increase in temperature the humidity can change. If the air is too humid or not humid enough, it makes it more difficult to breathe.

Heat causes things to expand -- not just outside, but inside the body, as well -- this can cause a narrowing of the bronchi leading into the lungs.

The quality of the air often declines as temperatures increase. More pollen and allergens can be present in the air, as well as increased amounts of chemicals from vehicles -- these can also increase the difficulty of breathing.

Answer 2

Hi there...I think I can answer your question. I'm a veteran respiratory R.N.

Hot weather is just one of many things that can cause flare-ups of symptoms in people with respiratory diseases/problems.

These factors that cause symptoms to flare are called "triggers". Everyone is different. What triggers one person may have no effect on another.

Some common triggers are:
Excessive temperatures (both hot and cold)
Smoke
Pollution
Pollen
Dust
Emotions
Exercise
Respiratory infections
Laughing
Crying
Coughing
Yelling
Allergens
Perfumes
Chemicals

the list goes on and on. In the case of hot weather it is a fact that heat causes an increase of blood flow by dilating vessels. This increased blood flow can cause inflammation (swelling) of the respiratory tract which in turn can make breathing problems worse.

Answer 3

It's not the hot weather that causes the respiratory problems. It is the humidity in the air and the amount of pollutants in the air.

Answer 4

I didn't know I had lung problems other than shortness of breath walking up steps until I went on vacation to the Czech Republic in March. I couldn't walk up a gentle incline without gasping in that sub-freezing climate. I have a bit of trouble breathing in the humid southern south, but nothing like the cold.

Answer 5

When you have a respiratory disease you have breathing problems, so when we go outside the heat takes our breath away thus making it harder for us to breath. I use oxygen with my respiratory disease so it is a little easier but unfortunately I have Lupus & pulmonary hypertension along with my sarcoidosis, so it is 3 times as hard for me to go outside.
Thank you for asking this question, hopefully others that have lung diseases will answer this question or find the answers helpful to them.

Answer 6

its hard for a normal person to breathe in hot weather...i have emphysema n bad allergies.i cannot do outside activities at all.the humidity is worse than the heat.

Answer 7

usually the atm. pressure of gases in air, like that of oxygen , decrease due to the heat, though it is very negligible to cause trouble to ordinary normal people, but those with impaired respiration due toemphysema may find it troublesome due to excess effort needed on their part to take up oxygen.

also the reduced humidity content , if present , can lead to dehydration and aggrevate the discomfort.

Answer 8

cauae the air is 2 dry

Answer 9

because the sun makes the problem worse and the lungs dry up.

Answer 10

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