3 Illnesses That Worsen in Winter Weather
Winter weather can aggravate certain chronic health conditions and the season can often mean worsened symptoms. Such exacerbated symptoms can often be debilitating and prevent individuals from living their life.
In this blog post, we’ll be discussing these conditions as well as methods to alleviate their symptoms.
Keep reading to find out more about these common illnesses that are flared up during the winter season.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
According to the American Lung Association, over 12 million people are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the United States. However, the COPD foundation estimates that as many as 30 million individualsmight have the disorder.
It is a group of conditions that are progressive and negatively impact the lungs. The two most common subtypes of COPD include chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
The disorder results in severe symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, chronic cough, and fatigue. These usually worsen during the winter months.
It’s recommendedthat individuals with the condition cover the nose with a mask or a scarf as well as take oxygen support when needed.
Arthritis Disorder
Another common condition that flare ups in the winter season is arthritis. It’s a serious disorder that affects over 58 million individuals in the United States. Not only does it cause immense pain and discomfort, but it can also result in work disability. Colder weather usually exacerbates the condition and can worsen the symptoms. That’s because the body becomes more sensitive to pain in lower temperatures.
Medical experts recommend adhering to medication and treatment plans as well as exercise to ease the symptoms.
Asthma Conditions
According to AAFA, asthma affects around 25 million individuals. This means that 1 in 3 people could have asthma. It is an inflammatory disease that affects the airways of the lungs to make breathing more challenging. As a result, it’s easier to understand the effect of cold weather on the condition.
We recommend individuals with asthma keep warm during winter and cover the nose. Additionally, it’s better to limit outdoor exercise to manage the symptoms.
Unfortunately, medicines for these conditions often come with a hefty price tag. This can prevent people from getting help. If you require assistance for prescriptions, consider us at Advocate My Meds. We are a full-service prescription assistance programs that provides easy-to-access patient assistance programs. Reach out to us today to enroll in our prescription assistance programs including Merck , Sanofi, Lilly cares, or Janssen prescription assistance.