Warning

Respiratory conditions can be affected by anything from air quality and the weather to your housing. Being aware can enable you to make changes that could improve your wellbeing. Here we bring together links to a range of relevant topics.  Each of the links opens in a new window/tab.

Living with a chest condition - Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS)

Air quality

Air pollution can be a real issue for people with respiratory conditions so it is important that you know about the risks and how to avoid them, as far as possible.  Each of the links below opens in a new window/tab.

Information about air pollution

Air pollution - Asthma + Lung UK

Indoor air pollution - Asthma + Lung UK

Financial support

Living with a respiratory condition can have a major impact on your financial situation, so it's important to make sure that you get all the help which is due to you.  Each of the links below opens in a new window/tab.

Information about financial support you may be eligible for

Financial support - a leaflet from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS)

Benefits and financial support - Asthma + Lung UK

Welfare support - Highland Council.

Anybody can self refer to the Highland Council Welfare Team by emailing: welfare.support@highland.gov.uk or phoning 0800 090 1004

Citizens Advice Scotland - or call 0800 028 1456 for free, one-to-one and impartial general advice on employment, housing, debt, benefits and consumer issues like energy bills as well as many other topics.  Open Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm

Worrying about money

Worrying about money - a leaflet from Highland Council and NHS Highland

Holidays and travel

There is no reason why people with respiratory conditions shouldn't be able to travel and go on holiday, but you may need to spend a little extra time planning your trip.  Each of the links below opens in a new window/tab.

Information about holidays and travel 

Holidays and travel - My lungs, my life

Driving with a medical condition - a leaflet from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS)

Air travel - a leaflet from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS)

Travel and motor insurance - a leaflet from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS)

Housing

If you are living with a respiratory condition it can be especially important to ensure your home is warm and free from damp.  Each of the links below opens in a new window/tab.

Information relating to housing

Home Energy Scotland - information and advice about reducing your energy bills, saving money and making your home warmer

Make my home warmer - Home Energy Scotland

Highland Council - Housing - housing information from the Highland Council

Citizens Advice Scotland - or call 0800 028 1456 for free, one-to-one and impartial general advice on employment, housing, debt, benefits and consumer issues like energy bills as well as many other topics.  Open Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm

Towards a Healthy Home - Managing Dampness, Humidity and Air Quality - a presentation from Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association 

Healthy Home - Humidity and Air Quality - A Self Help Guide - a talk by Donnie Mackay, Energy Advice Manager

 

 

Weather and seasons

Did you know both cold weather and hot weather can trigger an exacerbation (flare up) of your symptoms, especially if you become dehydrated in hot weather.  Each of the links below opens in a new window/tab.

Information about the weather and how to cope with different weather conditions

Met office weather alert emails

Keeping well in cold weather - Asthma + Lung UK

Looking after your lungs in hot weather - Asthma + Lung UK

Are you Winter Ready? - a video from LGOWIT (now MySelf-Management)

Working when you have a respiratory condition

Living with a long term respiratory condition does not necessarily mean that you will have to stop working.  Each of the links below opens in a new window/tab.

Information about working when you have a respiratory condition

Work and COPD - My Lungs, My Life

Citizens Advice Scotland - or call 0800 028 1456 for free, one-to-one and impartial general advice on employment, housing, debt, benefits and consumer issues like energy bills as well as many other topics.  Open Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 25/09/2023

Next review date: 04/11/2024

Author(s): Joanna Gilliatt.

Author email(s): joanna.gilliatt@nhs.scot.

Reviewer name(s): Kevin Patterson.