I went on my first multi-night winter hike last week. My lungs and breathing felt great! However, after being back indoors for a few days, I developed an annoying "lump" in my throat and it was kinda sore. It's the kind of lump that makes you want to swallow all the time because it feels like something is in your throat.

Is there anything to the idea that the difference in temperature and humidity would cause this? Or should I be looking elsewhere for causes?

Travis, even in -40 F. weather I never experienced that. If you're not coming down with some virus and this feeling goes away try breathing through a mask next time you're in very cold weather.

P.S. There are actually masks with copper mesh layered inside them made to pre-heat cold air. The mesh gets warmed by your exhaled air so you're re-using your own heat. Cabela's used to sell them. I have one for extreme cold weather sleeping.

Edited by Danepacker on 01/05/2012 19:38:04 MST.

I have braces (or is it Orthodontics in the US) and once the temp goes below -10c I need to use a mask as the cold air plays havoc with the metal in my mouth.

I have one with copper like Eric mentions.

Cold air can do this. It can also aggravate damage from GERD that you may not know you
have.

David,
My dad has GERD and is on medication for it. As he does, I also enjoy coffee, spicy foods, and beer, which I know can aggravate and cause GERD. I'm aware of this and am monitoring it. (personally, not professionally).

Can cold air do this alone aside from GERD?

> Can cold air do this alone aside from GERD?
I believe so. Air at -20 C is very dry. When you are panting up a hill in such dry cold air you can actually dry out the tissues in your throat when inhaling enough to cause some minor damage or swelling which appears later.

Cheers

I can see I won't be any help. I thought it was just the end of puberty and your voice was cracking...... ;-)

Once in a while my voice would crack when I was teaching high school. My comment was always, "Well, I guess I must be entering puberty - finally!"
And the class would crack up, much to the annoyance of the staid woman teaching English in the next room. (But then SHE was truly entering menopause so the grouchiness came naturally. :o)

I'm trying to find the mask with the copper wire that you mentioned and having problems. Would you be able to point me to the name of the product?

Exertion in cold air gives me a lump in the throat and phlegm. Always has. Every winter I have to acclimate to it and then it seems I'm fine.