Mesothelioma is a difficult diagnosis. Initially, you may have had several symptoms that did not seem serious or were associated with a minor illness.
However, when you started feeling sicker and sought help, mesothelioma may have seemed like a dark shadow. While there are ways to treat mesothelioma, so far, the best hope is for long-term remission. This can make living with the symptoms of mesothelioma difficult.
Here’s what you should know about the impact of Minnesota winters on your mesothelioma.
It’s hard to breathe
Pleural mesothelioma primarily impacts the tissue surrounding the lungs and can cause coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath. Unfortunately, pairing an illness that makes breathing difficult with winters that can routinely be below zero and windy can make a challenging diagnosis feel much worse.
Finding a way through winter
If you are rooted in Minnesota, it can be challenging to transplant yourself, especially if you face mesothelioma for the rest of your life. You will want to have the support of family and friends, and when your loved ones are also tied to Minnesota, it can become challenging.
When winter rolls around, it will significantly impact your ability to go outside without creating more discomfort. There are a few ways to make winter more comfortable when it is difficult to breathe in the outside air, such as:
- Getting help from friends and family so you can make fewer trips
- Talking to your doctor about using a humidifier
- Increasing your hydration
- Covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or other winter apparel
- Staying inside for the most severe winter weather
By taking some of these precautions, you may have an easier time dealing with the cold winter air. You should always consult with your medical care team for other ways to reduce your symptoms.
