Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.
Whether you have asthma, COPD or another medical condition, new environments can lead to flare-ups of your symptoms. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should avoid going on holiday. But it does mean you should take a few extra precautions to minimise the chance of becoming unwell while you’re away.
Fortunately, there are lots of simple measures you can take – and these start before you even book your holiday.
Before You Go
Research Air Pollution
It’s well recognised that air pollution can have a major impact on your lungs. If you have asthma or COPD, high levels of pollution can bring on symptoms or make your existing symptoms worse. If you’re planning a holiday, do your research into the levels of air pollution at your possible destination. If you’re going to the USA, their Environment Protection Agency has a searchable list of levels of pollution.
You won’t be surprised to hear that cities are usually much worse than more rural areas or islands. Cities in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China regularly top the list of most polluted. If you do need to travel to a highly polluted area (perhaps if you’re visiting friends or family), pay special attention to our other tips below on avoiding triggers.
Look at Humidity
Being in a very humid environment can trigger breathing problems for several reasons:
- It can create a perfect breeding ground for mould, as well as bacteria and viruses.
- The moisture and stagnant air in high humidity can trigger narrowing of the airways (bronchoconstriction), bringing on wheezing and shortness of breath if you have asthma.
- Air can feel thicker and heavier when it’s very humid. This can be an issue for everyone, but especially if you have a lung condition such as COPD.
Low humidity can also be an issue, as it can dry out and irritate your airways, making you more susceptible to infection.
Check the likely humidity at any destination before you book. Remember that this varies enormously over the course of the year in some countries, especially in warmer tropical climates. If you really want to visit a particular area, you may be able to go safely in one season if not in another.
Not Too High
At high altitudes, the air is thinner. Your brain can respond to low levels of oxygen by sending messages from your brain to breathe more. This, in turn, means you breathe out more carbon dioxide, and low levels of carbon dioxide can trigger bronchoconstriction
...And Not Too Cold!
If you have asthma, you may find that being out in very cold air triggers your symptoms. This is because breathing in cold air makes your airways more reactive. If your breathing isn’t well-controlled, you may want to avoid that Arctic cruise.
Get Your Lungs Checked
Make an appointment with your GP, practice nurse or practice-based pharmacist for an asthma/COPD check. They can look with you at your current level of control and how adjusting your medication might improve this. They can check your inhaler technique to make sure your inhaled medicine is getting effectively into your lungs. They’ll also work with you to devise or update an action plan, which will guide you on:
- What medication to take regularly
- What to do if you get new or worsening symptoms
- Whether you need an emergency pack of medication (eg steroid tablets, antibiotics) to carry with you
- When to seek urgent medical help
Order Your Medication
Whatever your lung condition, the chances are that you have at least one ‘preventer’ inhaler to take regularly. You may also have a ‘reliever’ inhaler to take when you have symptoms. Taking your preventer inhaler regularly, even if you don’t have any symptoms, is absolutely key to avoiding flare-ups.
Order your medication well in advance and make sure you have enough to last your whole trip and a couple of weeks more. You can find out more about avoiding any issues with your medication from our article on Taking Medication Abroad.
Get Insured
Having the right travel insurance won’t prevent you from getting ill, but it can certainly prevent huge concerns if you do. Even if you’re travelling in an area covered by the GHIC (previously called the EHIC), you need to get comprehensive insurance coverage, as the GHIC won’t necessarily entitle you to the free care you’d get on the NHS. Do ensure you use a specialist travel insurance comparison site, such as Medical Travel Compared, to ensure you’re covered for every eventuality.
Packing
Along with your sunglasses and passport, there are a few items you’ll need to pack, or to consider, to reduce the chance of problems while you’re away.
Do Pack:
- Your medication.
- Your repeat prescription form.
- A letter from your doctor if you need it.
- Your asthma/COPD action plan.
- A peak flow meter, if you need to track your lung function or treatment when you’re travelling.
- Your nebuliser (if you use one) in a durable case, along with a power adaptor or enough batteries to run it. If you’re travelling with nebuliser liquid, you can take volumes greater than 100ml if they’re needed for your treatment, but you will need a doctor’s letter. See our article on Taking Medication Abroad for more details.
Consider Packing:
- A portable air purifier.
- A saline nasal spray to protect against the dry air on the plane.
- Dust mite covers for pillows and mattresses.
While You’re Away
It’s worth taking a few steps to reduce allergy and breathing triggers both at the place you’re staying and while you’re out and about.
At Your Hotel:
- Ask for a low-allergy room. Hotels often provide hypoallergenic pillows, duvets and mattress covers.
- Make sure you have a smoke-free room.
- Close your windows to keep out pollution and allergens.
At Your Rental Property:
- Opt for a smoke-free and pet-free property.
- Choose a tiled rather than carpeted property if possible.
- Wipe down surfaces (especially in the bedroom) to remove dust and allergens.
Check the Air:
- Air pollution levels rise with dry, hot weather; sunlight; stable atmospheric conditions; and little or no wind. Plan outdoor activities when pollen and pollution are at their lowest.
- If you’re staying in the UK, DEFRA’s website allows you to research pollution levels on a daily basis.
- Other countries have similar websites which will let you research local conditions.
Planning ahead is crucial when travelling with a respiratory condition to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. By checking local air quality, managing potential allergens, and preparing appropriately for your destination, you can reduce risks and have peace of mind while away.
Taking these proactive steps helps you stay in control of your health, enabling you to focus on making the most of your holiday. Remember, with the right preparation, travelling with a respiratory condition is not only possible but can also be stress-free.