Your preparations for dealing with cold weather will vary depending on where you live. Those who live in areas that experience heavy snow will prepare differently from those who don’t experience snow at all. Some areas have very wet winters while others are dry.
When planning for cold weather it’s best to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Ensure you have adequate stocks of your medications just in case you become housebound. If you are on supplementary oxygen, make sure you have adequate supplies, as well as fully charged batteries in case of a power outage.
It’s important to check on your food and heating supplies for the same reason. If you haven’t done so already, ensure your heating is functioning correctly, keeping warm on those cold nights is very important for COPD patients.
The Bottom Line…
Whether you are a newly diagnosed patient or a veteran, going through winter can be daunting. Writing a list as you make your preparations can be helpful in a couple of ways. You can tick your list off to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. You can also revise your list after winter and add ideas that will make next year’s winter preparations less stressful.
No matter how vigilant you are everyone will succumb to an exacerbation at some time. Being prepared and having a plan to deal with the exacerbation can often be the difference in the severity and length of time of the exacerbation. Remember, preparation, stick to your plan, and above all don’t panic.