Protect your lungs in cold weather

Lang Son Lung Hospital doctor instructs patient on bronchodilator inhalation

On the morning of November 14, Mr. Luong Van Ngau, 65 years old, residing in Tan Minh village, Chien Thang commune, came to Lang Son Lung Hospital for examination and medication to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). After the examination, the doctor advised him to be hospitalized for inpatient treatment. Mr. Ngau shared: Every time I come, I just get medicine and go home. This year, the weather is hot and cold, so my illness has also become worse, I often have difficulty breathing. I quit smoking more than ten years ago, but my house is next to the road, so every day I inhale dust and vehicle exhaust. Since the beginning of 2025, I have had to be hospitalized for inpatient treatment three times.

In addition to Mr. Ngau, in just the first 2 hours of the same morning, the Lung Disease Department, Lang Son Lung Hospital also admitted 5 more patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma for treatment. In the hospital rooms, many patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are also persistently receiving treatment. Mr. Nguyen Huu Thuong, 66 years old, residing in Tan My I commune, Huu Lung commune, was hospitalized in early November with difficulty breathing and wheezing, and had to be treated for nearly 20 days to stabilize. Mr. Thuong said: I used to work as an electrician, often inhaling dust and smoke, and I also smoked a lot. Every time the weather turned cold, I would have a cough. Every year, I only had to undergo treatment once, but this year, it was two times.

According to statistics from Lang Son Lung Hospital, from the beginning of 2025 to now, the number of patients hospitalized due to respiratory diseases, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma, has increased compared to the same period in 2024, accounting for more than 60% of the total number of inpatients. The Asthma & COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Management Department maintains the management of 875 outpatients, an increase of 138 patients compared to the same period in 2024, of which 356 are newly admitted and managed, reaching 178% of the annual plan. Compared to 2024, the number of asthma patients being managed increased from 207 to 257 patients; the number of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients increased from 530 to 618 patients.

Doctor Phuong Van Huong, Head of the Lung Disease Department, Lang Son Lung Hospital, said: Recently, the number of cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma has increased rapidly, especially among the elderly, long-term smokers and people working in environments polluted with dust and smoke. In addition, the erratic changes in weather, especially the temperature difference, have caused a sudden increase in patients. Not only people with chronic diseases but also people with a history of bronchitis and mild asthma are also susceptible to flare-ups when the temperature changes suddenly.

Along with treatment, propaganda work, chronic disease management, and proactive detection at the grassroots level are also focused on. Ms. Ly Thi Xit, Head of Loc Binh Commune Health Station, shared: We are trained in early detection of respiratory diseases, instructing people on proper medication use, and regular check-ups. Since the beginning of the year, the station has coordinated with Lang Son Lung Hospital and Loc Binh Regional Health Center to review and make a list of people at high risk of lung diseases, organize screening at the main station and 3 stations for more than 600 patients, in which high-risk cases are transferred to higher levels for timely examination and treatment.

According to doctors, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma cannot be completely cured, but can be controlled if detected early and treated properly. Patients need to quit smoking, limit exposure to dust and smoke, keep warm in cold weather, exercise lightly and return for check-ups on time. In particular, do not arbitrarily use painkillers, because it can easily cause drug resistance or mask symptoms.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/bao-ve-la-phoi-giua-mua-lanh-5066304.html