Fall can be a beautiful time of the year. The craziness of a busy summer has come to an end. The air is no longer filled with hot and blustery temperatures, and of course, that wonderful humidity. The cooler temperatures are having us dig deep into the back of the closet for the long-sleeved tee shirts and those beloved favorite “hoodies”.
The best part of this changing season is all of the wonderful smells. Whether it be the crisp autumn air, apple cider and cinnamon or spiced pumpkin, it is definitely fall. Not everyone associates fall with these aromas. For some, fall means crops are being harvested and stirring up all kinds of dust, mold lying dormant in that pile of colorful leaves to rake up, and ragweed or other allergens in the air.
People already suffering from breathing problems have a difficult time come fall. With a mixture of those fall smells and the cooler air it can cause a variety of triggers affecting the nose and sinuses or airway constriction in the lungs.
There are many tips to help keep your lungs healthy and strong this time of year. Start with being aware of air quality and pollutants. A leisure drive in the country with the windows rolled down during fall harvest might not be the best decision. Avoid smoking or being around second hand smoke if possible. Remember those fall campfires and bonfires if this is a common irritant for you. And be conscious of it being the start of cold and flu season.
Things you can do to try and outsmart the flu season are:
- Use good hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer
- Try to avoid large crowds and practice social distancing
- If you are already feeling under the weather then stay home, if possible, when you are sick
- Get your annual flu shot especially if you are prone to breathing problems
Keeping your lungs healthy isn’t always just paying attention to the air around you. By eating a well-balanced diet such as plenty of fruits and vegetables, natural antioxidants and protein all play a part in lung health. Don’t forget the water!! Staying hydrated is important too. Getting plenty of sleep, trying to avoid excess stress and regular physical activity will also play a part in lung health, plus give you more energy to enjoy those fall activities.
Sometimes a person can do all of the right things and still have breathing difficulties. If fall is a troublesome time of year for you then visit with your primary care provider and share your concerns. It may be beneficial for you to have a breathing test done to possibly identify a breathing condition.
Pulmonary Function testing shows how well the lungs are working. These tests measure lung volume and gas exchange along with other helpful data. The information gathered during the test can help diagnose and decide treatment of certain lung disorders.
There are two types of disorders, obstructive and restrictive, that cause problems with air moving in and out of the lungs.
- Obstructive is when air has trouble flowing out of the lungs due to airway resistance, which causes a decreased flow of air.
- Restrictive is when the lung tissue and/or chest muscles cannot expand enough, which creates problems with air flow, mostly due to lower lung volumes.
Windom Area Health does offer Pulmonary Function testing and Pulmonology through Outreach Services routinely throughout the year. If you feel as if your breathing is becoming problematic please visit with your primary care provider. Help could be right around the corner for you. Please visit the Respiratory Care page for further information on ways we can help keep your lungs healthy.
By Rhonda Wahl, RRT, Respiratory Therapy Coordinator