Urgent warning to millions with common illness as cold snap this weekend ‘could prove deadly’
A COLD snap due to descend on the UK this weekend could be deadly to millions with a common condition, a charity has warned.
The Met Office has warned that temperatures could plunge to -7C in parts of the country, with areas being swathed in snow and ice.
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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued yellow cold health alerts for several areas across England – such as the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the South East – from 9am on Friday until 9am on Tuesday.
It means that vulnerable people – including the elderly or people with serious health conditions – may be at increased risk due to plunging temperatures.
But a charity has warned people with lung conditions to be extra vigilant in the coming days.
Asthma + Lung UK said the icy cold weather could be especially dangerous to people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The extreme cold expected over the weekend could worsen symptoms such as breathlessness and wheezing in people with these conditions, potentially leading to a life-threatening asthma attack or flare-up of COPD that requires hospitalisation.
Head of health advice at the charity, Emma Rubach, said people “need to be careful and look after their lungs” during the cold spell.
She warned: “Cold weather can be dangerous if you have a lung condition as it can bring on symptoms like coughing, wheezing and leave you struggling to breathe.
“This is because cold air can cause the airways to narrow, which can increase the amount of mucus produced and make breathing harder.
“Cold, dry air can also irritate the airways, worsen symptoms of asthma and other lung conditions and weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight respiratory infections like colds and flu, which are still doing the rounds.
“We would urge anyone with a lung condition to be careful and make sure they are protected against the cold.”
According to the charity, there are around 7.2m people with asthma and 1.7m people with COPD, living in the UK.
This means millions of people with lung conditions could be affected by the wintry temperatures forecast.
Plummeting temperatures and icy conditions are a major trigger for people with lung conditions, which was highlighted in a recent survey by Asthma + Lung UK.
Sixty-nine per cent of the people with asthma and COPD participating in the survey said cold weather triggered symptoms for them.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said many would feel the drop in temperature from as early as Friday morning, with people waking up to frost.
He explained “low temperatures the main thing to keep an eye on in the coming days”, adding that the drop could bring a “chance of winter hazards for some”.
“Friday night could see temperatures get as low as -7C in rural parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland,” he said.
“There’s a chance of some pockets of sleet and snow to southern and southeastern parts of England on Friday, though this will also be accompanied by rain and cloud for many.
“By the weekend, daytime temperatures are likely to only be around the mid-single figures, with sub-zero temperatures overnight for many.”
Staying safe in cold weather
Emma had a few tips for people with asthma and COPD to keep in mind as temperatures dropped to below zero.
She said: “The most important thing to do is ensure you are using your preventer inhaler regularly as prescribed if you use one, as this builds up protection in the airways over time and always have your inhaler reliever with you, in case you do feel symptoms coming on.
“When you’re outside, breathing in through your nose can also help as this warms up the air, as does wearing a mask or loosely wrapping a scarf around your nose and mouth, if comfortable to do so.
“Wearing thermals and layers of thinner clothing instead of one thick layer can also keep you warmer.”
What is asthma and what are the key signs of an athma attack?
Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties.
While it often starts in childhood, it affects people of all ages.
The main symptoms are:
- Wheezing
- Breathlessness
- A tight chest
- Coughing
When symptoms get worse in short bursts, this is known as an asthma attack.
While these happen randomly, there are some known triggers. These include:
- Allergies (e.g. pollen, house dust mites, animal fur)
- Smoke, pollution and cold air
- Exercise
- Infections like cold and flu
Asthma is usually treated using an inhaler – relievers and/or preventers.
Asthma + Lung UK has a number of tips and videos outlining the correct way to use different inhalers.
Check them out here.
Taking certain measures while indoors could make a difference too.
“When indoors, try heating your home to at least 18 degrees if you can, use blankets and hot water bottles to stay warm, close your bedroom windows at night and use draft excluders or blockers to try and reduce the amount of cold air in the room,” Emma said.
“Try not to sit still for more than an hour, you can try some gentle stretches to keep you warm.
“It is also a good idea to have at least one hot meal a day and to check the weather before you go out and stay inside in case it is too cold or windy for you. ”
To stay well during cold weather, Emma noted that it’s important to keep taking any medication prescribed to you and stick to your condition management plan.
“If your symptoms do worsen, acting quickly could stop you from having an asthma attack or flare-up of your lung condition,” she stressed.
“Make an urgent appointment with your GP or nurse and tell them if the cold weather is making your symptoms worse.
“Your risk of ending up in A&E doubles in winter if you have a lung condition.”