The cold snap is set to continue across the UK this weekend and into next week, with the Met Office issuing fresh snow and ice warnings in the wake of Storm Goretti.
In light of this, Brits have been advised to wear face masks to safeguard themselves from illness. A chronic asthma sufferer has taken to TikTok to highlight the importance of protecting your chest during such conditions.
According to the charity Asthma + Lung UK, approximately 7.2 million people in the UK live with asthma – roughly 8% of the population. “People with asthma can get symptoms like wheezing, breathlessness, a cough or a tight chest,” the charity states on its website.”Sometimes symptoms can get worse quickly. This is an asthma attack.”
Therefore, it’s crucial for those with the condition to take all necessary precautions to help prevent asthma attacks, flare-ups of lung conditions, and visits to the GP or hospital. “Always make sure you are wrapping up warm and covering your chest and protecting the airways,” TikTok user TheAsthmaInfluencer advised in a video.
She went on to recommend that it’s “worth” conducting a peak flow test each morning to identify any declining pattern, which could trigger a severe attack in the near future. “Keep an eye on it and if you see it drop, get yourself to a doctor,” she urged.
TheAsthmaInfluencer also highlighted the importance of keeping a spacer device at home. “If you notice your chest getting bad, 10 puffs in here will give instant relief and give you more medication into your lungs than just puffing on an inhaler,” she explained. “This is what they advise before going to hospital.”
Meanwhile, for those who possess a nebuliser or portable nebuliser at home along with the required medication, TheAsthmaInfluencer urged sufferers to administer “as much respites” as possible. She concluded: “My final tip is always have a hot drink – keep the airways warm, keep yourself warm and give yourself as much of a fighting chance as you can.”
Responding to the advice, one fellow sufferer shared: “Mine [chest] has been tight since the snow came I’m running on empty, no emergency and my skin looks pale/grey.” TheAsthmaInfluencer replied: “Steaming a room – I just close the bathroom door and run the hot tap till it’s super steamy – it’s can help a bit too.”
Asthma + Lung UK lists several ways you can help to stay safe outdoors:
Protect your airways from cold air by making sure the air you’re breathing in is warmed up. You can do this by:
- Breathing in through your nose rather than your mouth
- Loosely wrapping a scarf around your nose and mouth when outside, or
- Wearing a mask, if you feel comfortable to do so.
It’s a good idea to:
- Keep your reliever inhaler with you at all times.
- Check the weather before you go out. If you think it might be too cold or windy for you, shorten your time outside or consider staying at home.
- Ask someone to go with you or check in on you if you’re worried about going out in cold weather.
- Keep your head, hands and feet warm by wearing a hat, gloves, or an extra pair of socks.
- Wear layers of thinner clothing, because a lot of thin layers can keep you warmer than one thick layer. Thermal underwear can be helpful too.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
