• Home
  • About Us

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Jeremy Feldman, MD

  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Definition
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy and Prognosis for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Diagnosing & Monitoring PF
    • Monitoring Progress of IPF
    • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • PF Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
      • Update on Oxygen Use
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation
  • PF Advocacy & News
  • FAQ’s
    • Respiratory failure, NSIP, diet
    • Leg swelling, lung biopsy, side effects & pets
    • FAQ’s Enzyme Therapy, Progression of IPF & Oxygen
    • FAQ: Diarrhea, Fibrosis Reversal, IPF Symptoms
    • FAQ: Oxygen Flow, Anesthesia & Genetics
    • FAQ: Contagious Cough? Stem Cells, Familial IPF, Flying
    • FAQ: GERD, Fatigue & Environmental Exposure
    • FAQ: How to Travel to Your Doctor’s Office with Oxygen
    • FAQ: Lung Biopsy with Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • FAQ’s: Alcohol, Clinical Trials, Pulmonary Function Testing
    • FAQs: Emphysema, Exercise & Lung Biopsy

Summer Heat and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

May 20, 2016 By Dr. Jeremy Feldman

Sun Precautions for IPF patientsDepending on where you live, summer may be something to look forward to or a time of increased breathing symptoms.  If you live in the southwestern United States or other desert climates, summer means punishing heat for many months.  Patients with chronic lung disease like Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis do not tolerate these extremes of temperature very well.  In other parts of the world, summer means humidity, another source for increased breathing symptoms.

Staying Cool with IPF

The first rule of survival in very hot climates is stay out of the sun.  Plan your day accordingly.  Make doctor appointments for early morning.  If you have chores, do them either in the morning or after the sun sets.  Simply adjusting your schedule to get up earlier may allow you to be outside before the temperature reaches triple digits.

Don’t pinch pennies on your air conditioner.  If your finances permit, use your air conditioner.  Find a temperature that is comfortable for you. Most patients find that mid-70’s strikes the right balance.  Keep the blinds drawn and the windows closed during the day.  If your temperatures drop in the evening, then take advantage of a cross breeze and open some windows.

High humidity means that there is more water content in the air.  This makes the air heavier.  As the air gets heavier, it is harder to breath for most patients with chronic lung disease.  Most air conditioners remove moisture from the environment.  So using your air conditioner will not only cool the air but remove humidity.

Avoiding Dehydration

A common concern is to avoid dehydration in the summer months.  Striking the right balance between avoiding dehydration and not drinking too much fluid can be a challenge.  If you are typically on a fluid restriction then you may find that you have to liberalize it a bit.  If you are not on a fluid restriction from your physician then increasing your fluid intake to compensate for increased losses of fluid from hotter temperatures is reasonable.

Exercise in the Summer

Staying in shape is critical for patients with pulmonary fibrosis.  A walking regimen is the easiest way to keep from losing muscle strength and becoming deconditioned.  As temperatures rise, walking outdoors can become impossible.  Many of my patients find that walking around local indoor malls in the morning is a great alternative.  The malls generally open their doors early in the morning prior to the stores opening.  The temperature is always perfectly controlled and there are no shortage of benches and chairs.  Walking on a treadmill is another option.  Swimming or water aerobics in the early morning or evening is another great way to exercise and stay cool.  If you are taking Esbriet, be sure to avoid direct sun exposure.

Filed Under: IPF Tips

Featured Blog Posts

eating with lung disease

Tips for Minimizing Weight Loss with IPF

prescription for Ofev (nintedanib)

Managing OFEV Side Effects

Pulmonary Fibrosis FAQ

Your IPF Questions Answered

Recent Posts

  • Interstitial Lung Disease and Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Pamrevlumab Ineffective in Treating IPF
  • New Drugs Moving Forward for IPF

Search by Keyword (Examples: GERD, Coughing, Traveling, etc.)

Search by Category

Popular Articles

IPF patient with doctor

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Options

What is IPF?

  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and IPF
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy & Prognosis for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Diagnosing IPF

  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Treating IPF

  • Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation

Disclaimer