Before hot weather
Check forecasts, make sure prescriptions are collected, identify the coolest room and arrange support if you may need help with shopping or appointments.
Heat and COPD
Prepare before hot weather makes breathing more difficult.
Hot weather and humidity can worsen breathing for some people with COPD. A simple plan can help you stay cooler, keep medication available and recognise when symptoms need medical help.
Your hot-weather plan
Three stages of preparation
Adapt these suggestions to your home, medicines and individual COPD plan.
During the hottest period
Reduce unnecessary exertion, use cooler parts of the home, close blinds or curtains where sunlight enters and ventilate when outside air is cooler.
If symptoms change
Follow your individual COPD action plan, contact your GP or COPD team for worsening symptoms and use NHS 111 when urgent advice is needed.
Ways to reduce heat exposure
- Spend time in the coolest available part of your home.
- Keep curtains or blinds closed on windows receiving direct sun.
- Open windows when the air outside is cooler and safe to let in.
- Use a fan if it helps and the room is not dangerously hot.
- Move essential activity to cooler times of day.
- Wear lightweight clothing and avoid unnecessary exertion.
Fluids, food and medicines
- Drink regularly unless a health professional has told you to restrict fluids.
- Keep prescribed inhalers and medicines accessible.
- Do not store medicines in direct sunlight or excessive heat; follow the packet instructions.
- Check that oxygen equipment, if prescribed, is used and stored according to provider guidance.
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Hot weather can cause dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Warning signs can include headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, intense thirst, heavy sweating or a high temperature.
Heatstroke is an emergency. Call 999 if somebody remains unwell after cooling measures, becomes confused, loses consciousness, has a seizure or has very hot skin with a high temperature.
Severe breathlessness is also an emergency
Call 999 if you are gasping, choking, unable to speak, have blue or grey lips or skin, a tight or heavy chest, or sudden confusion.
Sources used for this page
What makes hot weather difficult for you?
Share the practical problems that future COPD hot-weather resources should address.