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Protecting yourself during heat waves, high humidity and pollution
Hello everyone. I have a chronic lung cancer and have had 6 tumors removed. I have lost a lot of lung tissue so my breathing in very hot, humid and polluted air is limited to the activities that I do comfortably and where and if I go anywhere.
Today in southern Rhode Island, where I live, the air the air quality is horrible do to the high particulates, actual particles from fossil fuel users. They are carried by the movement of out planet and the jet streams. Today it's suppose to be near 100 F and the air this AM has fogged the windows up quite a bit because I have AC with hepa filters.
It's imperative to protect yourself against these elements if you have lung cancer or lung issues. If you have lung issues of any kind keep your house comfortable cool so that you can inhale and exhale without working hard. For those people who need O2 you might, if you haven't already, ask your doctor if you should increase the level of air if need be.
Draw curtains and shades and make sure that all doors and window are shut and stay closed to avoid unnecessary solar and heat gain.
Hopefully all of your filters for keeping your air clean have been cleaned recently. If not please do so before the next bad weather hits.
Have your rescue inhalers and regular inhalers handy and use them if necessary. GO to the ER or someplace that has air conditioning if you lose power.
STAY inside and cancel all unimportant appointments. People and doctors will understand.
This is what the American Lung Association recommends:
The American Lung Association encourages everyone to get involved in the fight for cleaner, healthier air. Here are some simple, effective tips for protecting you and your family from the dangers of air pollution:
Check daily air pollution forecasts in your area. The color-coded forecasts can let you know when the air is unhealthy in your community. Sources include local radio and TV weather reports, newspapers and online at airnow.gov.
Avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high. When the air is bad, walk indoors in a shopping mall or gym or use an exercise machine. Limit the amount of time your child spends playing outdoors if the air quality is unhealthy.
Always avoid exercising near high-traffic areas. Even when air quality forecasts are green, the vehicles on busy highways can create high pollution levels up to one-third a mile away.
What are some of the ways that you protect yourself from bad air during heat waves?
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As the heat continues in many parts of North America and Europe, I'd like to bring this conversation back to top of the group. @joelars @jo54 @alamogal635 @bluelagoon @2onlow8 @margot69 @cindylb @seaspray @schmeeckle64 @lady1lake what are your tips for managing heat and bad air quality?
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1 ReactionI live in Florida and it’s hot. Humidity is often high. I schedule appointments and grocery in the morning. I try to make a list for groceries so I am not going often. Air conditioning is good. I have boundaries and have to live within them. Not great but It’s good to breathe.
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2 ReactionsI too live in Florida (Northern) but am lucky enough to live by the ocean. I have a large dog that needs to be walked several miles a day and head out early in the morning and very late in the day. Humidity actually allows me to breathe better versus the dry cold air of winter. Unfortunately, new neighbors moved in and insist on venting their perfumed filled dryer sheets towards my house. Going outside and enjoying the patio is severely hampered. Air conditioner, dehumidifiers and air purifiers occupy my house!
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2 ReactionsI am in Central Valley, Ca and it is very hot this time of year. This week is a scorcher. We survive with AC but do not run it at night. We have a whole house fan. Early in the mornings, we open up the house and, assuming it is cooler outside, turn that on and it sucks the cool air in and the warm air out the attic. When the temp is not going lower, we close up the house. It will usually stay comfortable until at least noon. Ceiling fans in every room. If we happen to get a Delta breeze, nice to sit on the patio in the evenings. Any errands that have to be done are done early morning. It is 106 today. Not going out today!!
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2 Reactions@seaspray- Hello and good morning. I sympathize with you about your neighbors, we've certainly had a few non-compromising ones. It changes you comfortable life at home. I find it easier when the air is dry and cool. Fall and spring are my best months, other than that I hide in the house too.
I'm sorry that you have to put up with this. I imagine that you have talked to your neighbors about this?
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1 ReactionI live in Buffalo NY. Our summers are beautiful. We do get higher humidity but temps are usually 80's. I run outside during the warmer weather. In mid-summer I have runs in 90's, on black asphalt trails, where the heat index is low 100's. That happened just the other day. It makes running, which is challenging with COPD under the best of conditions, even more so; yet, overall I like warmth. In fact yesterday, (it was high 80's) I hit a personal best for my final mile (8:12 in a 5 mile run). I was elate. To have a personal best after 14 years with a progressive disease, aging alone erodes lung function and capacity for "normals", gives me hope. I attribute it, in large part, to newer breathing techniques where I combined deep relaxing inhaling from yoga practice, with pursed lips exhalations I learned from this group, and the effects of the antibiotics which must of knocked way down (maybe removed?) my lung current infection.
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3 Reactions@jo54- During tough times planning ahead really helps. Breathing is definitely good. Do you use any special air filters or dehumidifiers?
@margot69- Hi Margot! My sister has your set up too, but keeps her ac on most of the time when it's this type of hot. How are you doing?
Hi.. Right now the humidity doesn't bother me. We live on an average so I'm just breathing good old fresh country air.
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2 Reactions@schmeeckle64- Good morning. I envy you as the air quality here is horible and 100% humidity, once again. What does living in average mean?