Asthma

[emmilou]

Thanks for that Smoggy. I went to the doctors in advance of the 'infection' stages of the last 2 years this time around. Hence on the purple as stated. I also carry the blue everywhere as even a laughing fit can set it off I tend not to bother before a race but have been known to finish races clutching the thing in my hand or signing I'm in desperate need of it!

Last year I had 2 courses of the steroid tablet and really didn't want a third, they made me feel cack then, like NOYH was given the monteluklast tabs but again they made me feel rubbish too....I dread the dark nights and winter as it is but for it to be worsened by being so ill it's not looking good!!

My sister has had asthma since she was a small child and I've witnessed serious attacks which are very frightening. She was telling me however, she has altered her diet to a completely dairy free one. She has noticed a remarkable change, that and she lives by the glorious fjjords of Norway

I was wondering if any other sufferers had tried or been recommended this dairy free 'option'???

[SteveWool]

I was wondering if any other sufferers had tried or been recommended this dairy free 'option'???

My wife has suggested this in the past. She is a physio (a neuro specialist so does not claim to be a respiratory expert) but has some info from training and colleagues. Apparently dairy foods in the diet can cause thicker mucus on the chest and exacerbate breathing problems. A low dairy diet is recommended for children with cystic fibrosis etc.

In the summer months when things are mostly ok I get lazy and forget to think about diet but now reminded I’ll give it a try.

A big trigger for me is alcohol… Just a couple of drinks can make me need the blue inhaler ...

[emmilou]

My wife has suggested this in the past. She is a physio (a neuro specialist so does not claim to be a respiratory expert) but has some info from training and colleagues. Apparently dairy foods in the diet can cause thicker mucus on the chest and exacerbate breathing problems. A low dairy diet is recommended for children with cystic fibrosis etc.

In the summer months when things are mostly ok I get lazy and forget to think about diet but now reminded I’ll give it a try.

A big trigger for me is alcohol… Just a couple of drinks can make me need the blue inhaler ...

Me too....I'm considering going tee total. Every time I have a drink now a days there is some side effect or other, it's as well to just not bother.

[ratfink]

i read some research from australia saying that there was no proven link between dairy and asthma.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/10/05/5272.aspx
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3030122.stm

There are however a lot of anecdotal tales of people responding well to low/no dairy diets. it could be worth a week or two's trial to see if it makes a difference for you personally. (I tried very briefly but i love cheese - arg).

I've been having a real issue with a mucousy kind of asthma (where if i breathe out in a huff i tend to have a tail end rattly wheeze, and often cough up sticky/lumpy white phlegm, but i don't really wheeze all the time). My doctor recommended going to three puffs of seretide (purple) twice a day. it seems to be improving. so although my lungs are"feeling" the cold air and take a while to warm up i'm hoping to stay infection free this winter!! (one plan towards this for me is to try to take it a bit easier while its cold and the bugs are doing the rounds).

more bad news on boozing:
http://www.theallergysite.co.uk/drink.html

but if you are still having the odd drink might be worth checking out the sulphite content (as these preservatives, use in foods and drinks, can trigger allergic response in some people).

less negative opinion
http://www.aim-digest.com/gateway/pa...les/asthma.htm

[emmilou]

I'll have a look at those, that's all very interesting. Thanks

[SteveWool]

i read some research from australia saying that there was no proven link between dairy and asthma.[/url]

Is interesting reading. Must be worth a try as anecdotal info seems positive ....

Does anyone else use Symbicort instead of Seretide? Has anyone tried both and found a preference? And does anyone know of another option for a regular preventer?

.. now for a slow run up a hill ..

[emmilou]

Is interesting reading. Must be worth a try as anecdotal info seems positive ....

Does anyone else use Symbicort instead of Seretide? Has anyone tried both and found a preference? And does anyone know of another option for a regular preventer?

.. now for a slow run up a hill ..

I think it depends on your doctor and which suppliers they use? I went with the recommendation of Symbicort and came out with Seretide as the doc said they are the same just manufactured/supplied differently

[SteveWool]

I was just wondering if anyone can quantify the effect the season of asthma is having on their running?

I was getting a bit frustated as I'm still having to walk up the slightest hills and haven't really done any worthwile training in the last few weeks. After talking to a new asthma nurse I am trying to avoid the tablets, as my peak flow is between 80% and normal when using the preventer (and not exercising), and they are not sure they will help.

Does anyone change their routine, eg other activities with less running over winter until it gets warmer again?

[emmilou]

I was just wondering if anyone can quantify the effect the season of asthma is having on their running?

I was getting a bit frustated as I'm still having to walk up the slightest hills and haven't really done any worthwile training in the last few weeks. After talking to a new asthma nurse I am trying to avoid the tablets, as my peak flow is between 80% and normal when using the preventer (and not exercising), and they are not sure they will help.

Does anyone change their routine, eg other activities with less running over winter until it gets warmer again?

I've been taking the purple inhaler as I mentioned above and if anything have increased my running not dropped. I find a warm down outside walking about a mile helps no end with the coughing fits as opposed to walking straight into a warm house etc.

I struggled with the breathing a bit on todays race as the wind was cold on the tops and that always has an effect and yes climbing up all does become an issue as trying to breathe gets very painful. I tend to really concentrate on a good even style of breathing and relaxing if that means I slow down a bit then so be it, the idea is get to the top in 1 piece not a coughing fitting wreck!

Hope you get on ok

[wheezing donkey]

Emmi, one of the Bowland crew, who was already a vegetarian and an asthma suffer, decided to cut out dairy products and became a full blown vegan about 8 or 9 years ago. His running really went on the up and he is now usually listed in the end of season veterans league tables, as published in the FRM.
As a parallel, does your Other Half not snore louder if he has tucked into the (full fat dairy) cheese and biscuits after an evening meal? Dairy products do affect your breathing! You do not need academic research to confirm/deny the obvious!