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Asthma + Cold Air

DollyMiel
DollyMiel Posts: 377 Member
edited January 6 in Fitness and Exercise
Sooo... I fell off the exercise wagon for the past month or two while working on final projects like a maniac, and I'm getting back into it.

But it seems a lot more difficult than I remembered. I have pretty terrible asthma attacks while doing my cardio and have to stop far sooner than I'd like. I know part of it is that I haven't exercised in a while and I'm not used to it, but I also feel like it's the cold weather exacerbating the condition (since my asthma has been bad even without cardio lately). Because just a couple months ago I was hiking a good deal without a respiratory problem to stop me, and now I can't even jump around my bedroom doing cardio for a few minutes without wheezing like an old truck.

Is anyone else suffering from exercise asthma, especially now that the weather is colder? I don't know how to help it besides stopping and puffing my inhaler then feeling terribly disappointed in myself. :\

Replies

  • Jen32285
    Jen32285 Posts: 281 Member
    My doctor told me to use mine like 10-15 minutes before I workout.
  • Momma_Grizz
    Momma_Grizz Posts: 294 Member
    I'm the same way with cardio that involves jumping jacks. Good idea to use your puffer before hand.

    I felt disappointed in myself too but I've since picked up strength training and feeling much more satisfied.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    I get asthma if I exercise in the cold but not indoors. I would suggest doing lower intensity and then working your way up - if you feel your chest start to tighten, or any other symptoms, back down on the intensity. If it does not improve I would see your doctor.
  • miasapearl
    miasapearl Posts: 38 Member
    Use your inhaler right before exercising. The more you work out your lungs the less often you would need to use your inhaler before exercising.
  • DollyMiel
    DollyMiel Posts: 377 Member
    Strange, I didn't think it would be safe to use my inhaler before symptoms arose so I never did that (even though the thought had occurred to me) but I'll give it a try next time.

    Might just dial down and just do some pilates or something on colder/drier nights.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Drink water, warm up, try mouth breathing to warm air up, talk to you doctor about a non inhaler asthma product.
  • pet1127
    pet1127 Posts: 572 Member
    I am also asthmatic
    slow down your pace and try breathing deep in threw your nose and out threw your mouth when excercising.
    I also do this when I go to bed at night to help get the weezing under controle in threw the nose out threw the mouth
    when outside make sure you have a light weight scarfe to pull up over your face to warm the air and DONT breat deep threw your mouth in the cold air it hurts your lungs
  • MusicInMyHeart
    MusicInMyHeart Posts: 179
    Hi! I'm an asthma sufferer just like you. I agree with the other posters; use your inhaler about 10 minutes before you start any cardio. I am also really conscious about my breathing techniques while I'm running too. See your doctor for some breathing exercises.
  • jwcomputergirl
    jwcomputergirl Posts: 126 Member
    That's me, totally. I hit my inhaler BEFORE I start excercising - right when I'm changing my clothes. It is perfectly safe, but I am not a doctor - please check with yours so you feel comfortable.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    My doctor told me to use mine like 10-15 minutes before I workout.

    I suspect this is right. That is a usual recommendation. You need to check with your doctor. You should be able to get it under control -- even with cold air.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    Strange, I didn't think it would be safe to use my inhaler before symptoms arose so I never did that (even though the thought had occurred to me) but I'll give it a try next time.

    Might just dial down and just do some pilates or something on colder/drier nights.

    My asthma specialist encourages me, actually kind of insists, that I take a few puffs of my albuterol inhaler before starting to work out. It has been working for me!

    A little history...last winter I had bronchitis and/or asthma exacerbations for four MONTHS straight. I had to try new inhaler combinations just about every month, and I was on antibiotics and steroids monthly too. Since going with my current combination of advair 250/50, singulair 10mg and pre-medicating with albuterol before exercise, I have been fine. I have only had one exacerbation this year. And I have NEVER had to cut my workout short because of being short of breath.

    ETA: I have a little routine...as soon as I get up to the fitness center, I take off my coat and start getting out my stuff--I get out my inhaler, Ipod, headphones, HRM--I stand there and talk to the trainer while I use my inhaler. Then I go get on the treadmill. There are many times I feel better AFTER using the treadmill than I did when I got there.
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