Central Illinois is preparing for another swing in temperatures from the thirties and forties back to the sixties and seventies this weekend. Medical professionals have some guidance for those with breathing issues navigating the extreme changes in temperature.
Brian Curtis is the vice president for the clinical specialty service line at OSF Healthcare. Curtis says those with conditions like COPD or other respiratory issues can be caught unaware by the sudden thawing that accompanies quickly rising temperatures.
“Spaces that were not damp, because it was cold and everything was frozen, become damp,” he said. “So when you get a moist environment, it can quickly expose you to having mold and mildew develop, which, if you have respiratory issues or asthma, can cause issues with that.”
Curtis says you can consider running dehumidifiers in areas of your home that may become damp or have a risk of water seepage. He recommends dressing warmly and covering your mouth if you need to go outside during one of the colder temperature downturns.
“Cold air can cause a little bit of a spasm to your airways,” Curtis said. “So sometimes using a scarf or a muffler to cover your face can help.”
A final consideration for Curtis mentions is taking advantage of the warmer temperatures to circulate air through the house and release some of the germs that can be easily collected and spread during the colder months. Curtis says the lack of air circulation and particularly kids coming in and out of the home can enable the spread of viruses in the winter.
“It becomes a way to kind of air these houses out,” he said. “Get some fresh air and maybe get some circulation going on that normally couldn’t have occurred.”
