Cold weather can make breathing tough on our lungs.
The American Lung Association reports that cold, dry air can irritate people with breathing-related problems like asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.
Nearly two years ago, 67-year-old Ron Taylor was diagnosed with COPD.
"It hurts. It hurts real bad," Taylor said. "It's like somebody takes their hand, puts it around your throat and cuts your air off because you can get air in, it's just you can't get the air out."
For months, Taylor was in and out of the hospital at Baylor Scott and White in Temple as doctors worked to get his breathing under control.
His last stay was six months ago.
"It's miserable," Taylor said. "The last time I went, I almost didn't make it."
Taylor quit smoking the second he got out and started taking better care of himself.
"I have to take a breathing treatment and I have to do that when I get up and then when I go to bed," Taylor said.
He's being extra careful this winter.
"Take my medicine and try to stay busy," Taylor said.
Dr. Francisco Perez-Guerra at Baylor Scott & White said people with COPD are also at a greater risk of infection this time of the year.
"It gets worse with viruses, it does not necessarily have to be during the winter season, but clearly it is worse during the winter season particularly because of the influenza virus," Perez-Guerra said.
To help protect yourself, you should take all medications as prescribed, get vaccinated and stay away from people who are sick.
You should also bundle up before you head outside.
Taylor said quitting cigarettes would be a good idea, too.
"To me, breathing is more important than smoking, that's the bottom line," Taylor said.
If left untreated, the disease can get worse.
According to the American Lung Association, COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
For more information on COPD, click here.
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