What hot weather does to your lungs — and how to protect them this week

High temperatures can have many different health effects, including on your lungs. As the mercury rises this week — with the UK set to be hotter than Bali — people with lung conditions such as asthma have been warned to take extra care. Emma Rubach, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “Hot and humid air causes chest tightness, coughing and wheezing, making it harder for people to breathe.

“We know the heat is a trigger for some people with lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and can lead to life-threatening asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups. High levels of pollen and air pollution, which are also major triggers, can exacerbate breathing difficulties further, leading to peaks in emergency admissions.

“This is why we’d advise people with lung conditions to check pollen and air pollution forecasts, and to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day.”

The hottest time of day typically falls between 11am and 3pm. If planning physical activities such as exercise or walking the dog, it can be helpful to go early in the morning or in the late afternoon or evening to beat the heat.

If you do go outside, wear suitable clothing and appropriate protection such as a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Meanwhile, keeping windows and curtains closed in rooms that face the sun can also help to keep your home cool.

Ms Ruback said people with lung conditions should also “continue to take their preventer inhalers and other daily medication as prescribed, make sure they have their reliever inhalers with them, and make an urgent appointment with their GP if their symptoms don’t improve”.

Older people, young children and those with underlying medical conditions are most vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

A survey for Asthma + Lung UK found that one in three people with lung conditions felt hot weather made their symptoms worse.

For more information, you can call the charity’s helpline on 0300 222 5800.