Doctor revealed the causes of summer exacerbation of chronic lung disease

Heat, smog, and even high humidity can sharply worsen the condition of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), although this disease is traditionally considered a strictly "winter" illness. This warning was issued in a conversation with "Gazeta.Ru" by pulmonologist Olga Tsagaraeva of AO "Meditsina" (Academician Roitberg's clinic).

COPD is a chronic disease in which the airways narrow and the alveoli — tiny air sacs in the lungs responsible for gas exchange — are gradually destroyed. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult for the person to exhale air, and shortness of breath, chronic cough, and rapid fatigue progressively worsen.

As the specialist noted, the main wave of exacerbations does indeed hit patients during the cold months — against the backdrop of viral infections and exposure to freezing air. However, summer brings its own, no less serious threats. High temperatures combined with humidity intensify the sensation of air hunger, while polluted air, elevated ozone levels, and plant pollen irritate the airways, noticeably impairing breathing.

"Dehydration poses an additional danger. In the heat, mucus becomes thicker and harder to cough up, which also complicates the condition," the doctor warned.

Tsagaraeva drew attention to the fact that many people spend years attributing persistent cough and shortness of breath to age, smoking, or the aftereffects of past infections. Meanwhile, the disease steadily progresses, increasing the risk of respiratory failure and other severe complications.

The pulmonologist urged people not to postpone examination until autumn. The warm season, in her words, is a suitable time for stabilizing the condition: one can quit smoking, increase physical activity, learn breathing techniques, and adjust treatment if necessary.

For patients with an already established diagnosis, the specialist recommended avoiding overheating, maintaining adequate fluid intake, monitoring air quality, and strictly adhering to prescribed therapy. Regular check-ups and monitoring of lung function, she emphasized, help reduce the risk of severe exacerbations and hospitalization regardless of the time of year.