When the cold and flu season hits, it brings more than just sniffles and coughs, especially for those with chronic conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sleep apnea. These respiratory issues can make even a mild cold feel like a major uphill battle. But don’t get discouraged! No matter how awful that sounds, there are effective solutions you can take to protect your health and breathe a little easier all season long.

Stay Ahead with Vaccinations

Believe it or not, vaccines are your first means of protection. In case you’ve got COPD, getting annual flu and pneumonia shots can help prevent serious complications from such respiratory infections. In addition, it’s crucial to stay current with COVID-19 boosters. Plus, the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine might be recommended for older adults, but it’s necessary to discuss with the healthcare provider first.

Practice Hygiene and Limit Exposure

So how can you lower your risk of getting sick? Surprisingly, simple daily habits like avoiding contact with people showing symptoms, wearing masks, and washing hands often, to name a few, can make a huge difference. For individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, however, it's crucial to steer clear of crowded places altogether during the peak season.

Prioritize a Healthy Lifestyle

Many people agree that a well-balanced diet filled with whole grains, fruits, lean proteins, and vegetables can strengthen your immune system. As you might expect, other key basics to keeping good health include exercising regularly, getting good sleep, and controlling your stress levels. Lastly, it's important to avoid smoking. Exposure to both first- and secondhand smoke can make sleep apnea and COPD symptoms worse.

Keep an Eye on Air Quality and Stay Warm

Additionally, pollution and cold air can also irritate your lungs, hence, worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms. Make sure to check the air quality index often and stay alert for high pollution levels. If that is the case, the fewer outdoor activities you have, the better. Stay indoors. If you must get outside in cold weather, wear a scarf or mask to warm the air before letting it into your lungs. Last but not least, limit your exposure to wood smoke and other irritant substances as they can aggravate the symptoms.

Properly Manage Sleep Apnea

Unfortunately, sleep apnea can feel much more challenging when you’re congested from a cold or flu. However, it’s important to continue your therapy with sleep equipment no matter what. To make things more comfortable during this time, consider the following tips (you might’ve already tried a few!):

• Sleep on your side: This position can help keep your airways open and make the therapy with sleep equipment more effective.
  
• Elevate your head: Sleeping with your head elevated can help prevent the accumulation of mucus in your nasal passages.
  
• Use a humidifier: Did you know that by adding moisture to the air you can greatly alleviate nasal congestion and dryness, therefore making your breathing easier?

In case your nasal congestion becomes severe, though, consult your doctor for proper measures to take. By no means should you disrupt your sleep apnea therapy.

Be Prepared with Medications

In order for you to manage symptoms early on and avoid running to the pharmacy when sick, make sure you have an adequate amount of all your prescribed medications on hand, like inhalers and other sleep aids. Don’t wait until you’ve run out of your stock!

Consult Your Healthcare Provider

Routine doctor visits can help you stay ahead of any changes in your condition besides keeping it under control. During your check-in, feel free to ask questions and discuss any worries about medication options, vaccines, and how to best manage symptoms. There’s no doubt that having a clear action plan ready can make you feel more prepared and confident to face the illness.

Although managing COPD and sleep apnea during the cold and flu season requires a proactive approach, it’s all well worth it. By staying up to date with vaccinations, prioritizing good hygiene, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, watching environmental factors, and adhering to treatment plans, you can diminish complications and maintain better overall health. Remember, your healthcare provider is always there to support you. Stay warm, stay safe, and take care of your health!