The colder winter months bring a variety of different ailments due to the change in weather. A common symptom that may not indicate an illness is feeling a burning sensation in your lungs when you go outside in the cold. Learn when to be concerned about this symptom, and how to prevent it.

Is Breathing Cold Air Bad for My Lungs?

You may have noticed that the arrival of cold winter air causes symptoms such as dry, irritated skin. However, does it have the same effect when you breathe it in? The answer - yes. Cold winter air is very dry. Your lungs need to stay moist to function properly. This means that your body has to work extra hard to protect your lungs and keep them moist when they are exposed to the cold winter air.

Cold air exposure can cause your body to experience what is called bronchospasms, which are the sudden contraction of the airways. Bronchospasms can restrict your airway and cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness.

When to Seek Medical Treatment for Lung Irritation

Lung irritation can cause stressful symptoms. The constriction of your airway is a serious symptom that should not be ignored. Even though bronchospasms caused by cold air exposure can cause shortness of breath, similar conditions such as allergic reactions, asthma, and other breathing conditions can have long-lasting effects that require immediate medical intervention in the emergency room.

If your symptoms extend to other parts of your body, such as your arms, neck, or head, you should seek medical evaluation. However, usually, bronchospasms caused by cold air exposure will stop once you get back into the warm indoors.

Lung Irritation vs Respiratory Illness

It is not uncommon to experience mild respiratory symptoms when in freezing temperatures. However, if you experience these symptoms due to other environmental irritants such as dust and mold exposure, or regularly suffer from shortness of breath, you may be suffering from a chronic respiratory illness or infection that requires treatment. Seeking a medical diagnosis in this case can help identify what is irritating your lungs and treat it accordingly.

Common respiratory illnesses that cause shortness of breath:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• COPD
• Pneomnia

There are a wide variety of reasons why you may be experiencing shortness of breath, and not all of them require medical intervention. However, seeking a medical diagnosis to get treatment for your symptoms is the best way to ensure that you are not suffering from a serious or chronic condition. If you do go outside during the colder winter months, covering your nose and mouth to help warm up the air that you are breathing is a great way to help lessen the symptoms associated with breathing in cold air.

Visit AFC Urgent Care Centennial for Same-Day Illness Diagnosis & Treatment

If you are noticing that your lungs are suffering due to exposure to cold air, it is important to take precaution to ensure that you are not causing unnecessary damage to your lungs. However, lung irritation can be a symptom of other conditions. Seeking a medical diagnosis for illness symptoms has never been easier than at AFC Urgent Care Centennial. Simply walk into our clinic to receive personalized care from our board-certified medical providers, 7 days a week.

We accept most medical insurance plans and offer low-cost care at our state-of-the-art facility. Equipped with an on-site laboratory and X-ray suite, our medical staff is able to quickly and accurate diagnose your symptoms and provide a customized treatment plan. Simply walk in, or schedule an appointment on our website. For specific questions regarding our clinic, please contact us directly by calling 303-220-9168.