Jamaica pulmonologist warns extreme heat and humidity strain lungs for asthma and COPD patients

As Jamaica faces another stretch of hot, humid weather, a pulmonologist is urging residents with breathing and related chronic conditions to take extra precautions during the summer months.

Dr Scott said extreme heat places added strain on the respiratory system in ways many people overlook. Higher surrounding temperatures can increase water loss through breathing, not only through sweating. The body may also breathe faster to release heat, while a faster metabolism demands more oxygen and produces more carbon dioxide. Together, those shifts can tax the lungs.

Outdoor humidity can make breathing harder for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, smoking-related lung illness, and other long-term respiratory disorders. Dr Scott noted that asthma is especially common locally, affecting as many as one in five people.

Those most likely to struggle as temperatures climb are patients whose lung disease is already severe. Some people with advanced emphysema may be near their maximum breathing capacity and have little reserve when heat raises demand. They may feel more short of breath and need greater effort to breathe.

Older adults can also be vulnerable because organ reserves decline with age, even when lung disease is not pronounced.

Heat-related dehydration poses another serious concern. Dr Scott said it can significantly affect people with sickle cell disease, which is present in large numbers across the population. The condition can impair kidney function and reduce the ability to concentrate urine. Patients with underlying kidney disease may also see their condition worsen without adequate fluids.

Doctors caution that hydration must be balanced. While many healthy people can drink extra water safely in hot weather, those with kidney, heart, or lung disease should not sharply increase intake without guidance. Drinking too much fluid can overload systems that cannot process excess volume and may worsen illness.

For asthmatics and others with chronic lung problems, Dr Scott stressed staying on prescribed medication to prevent deterioration. Home oxygen may offer temporary relief when shortness of breath strikes, but turning it on is also a warning sign that care has worsened and proper medical attention is needed.

With temperatures expected to remain high, health officials say protecting respiratory health through medication, careful fluid management, and timely medical care should be a priority this season.