Running With Asthema

sunshinegirlx3 wrote: »

I have been doing pretty well on my weight loss journey and one of my goals other then loosing weight and getting healthy is to be able to jog/run.. I'm trying to get my asthma under control pushing myself little by little but i still cant make it any further than 1/2 a mile without having to stop... any suggestions on controlling my breathing other then going to a doctor? they tell me to take my inhaler and walk instead of run.....

They tell you that because it's good advice. If you can't run like you've been trying to, run slower, or do run/walk intervals (run 60 sec, walk 90, for example. The popular "C25K" training program, which you can google, starts with these types of interval workouts and it's a great plan to use.)

sunshinegirlx3 wrote: »

I have been doing pretty well on my weight loss journey and one of my goals other then loosing weight and getting healthy is to be able to jog/run.. I'm trying to get my asthma under control pushing myself little by little but i still cant make it any further than 1/2 a mile without having to stop... any suggestions on controlling my breathing other then going to a doctor? they tell me to take my inhaler and walk instead of run.....

If your doctor is suggesting you not run right now, it's probably for good reason. You could try walk/jog intervals or maybe another form of cardio like the elliptical, rower, or cycling.

I take two inhales of my inhaler before I go for a run and I stop when I need to stop. There is nothing wrong with stopping at half a mile. You have a condition and you have to respect that. Time and strengthening the lungs with non-running based cardio can help but it will be a lot slower than someone who doesn't have asthma.

Sometimes the block can be, in part, psychological. You feel like you can't breathe, you panic, and then you stop. When you're running next time: focus on your inhale/exhale. The sound. The feeling. Your body will move if you tell it to so focusing on your breathing should reassure yourself that you are getting enough air.

If that doesn't work you may have to consider that your doctor is right and back off for a little while. There is no point in being healthy if you're not going to be smart about it.

i have asthma & I run. Before I run I take my daily inhaler (flovent) & 10 minutes before I hit the treadmill I take my rescue inhaler (albuterol). 2 meds that allow me to run are worth the feeling I get after I run- that sense of accomplishment, and knowing my heart rate & blood pressure are going down.

Have you tried using albuterol inhaler 30 mins before physical exertion/running. It may help.

Hubby has asthma. You don't get it under control by pushing yourself. Do you take your puffer before you head out, and do you carry it with you? A half mile run is just about perfect, health-wise. We also have an engineer on MFP with a lively discussion going on where he argues that a walk over the same distance as the run expends about the same amount of energy. And he's right. If you buy in to the origin of man, you know that in the distant past we used to spend a lot of time walking. Walking is very good.

For a while there hubby and I represented the top demographic profiles for trips to the emergency. Asthma for him and diabetes for me. I've spent a few nights with him sleeping in uncomfortable visitor's chairs, waiting for his oxygen to normalize. Then there's the memorable 3AM sessions with the asthma coach, teaching hubby how to take his inhalers.

He's much more consistent about taking his puffers, and my diabetes is in remission. My scheduled doctor's visits have dropped from four times a year to one.

@sunshinegirlx3 Welcome to MFP forums.

While you are deciding what to do about going with the doctor's advice or not you may want to read up on what the 40 year old supplement Wobenzym N reportedly can do for asthma patients.

I do not have asthma but and testing Wobenzym N at high rate of usage after learning about it in a cancer protocol on Truth About Cancer. I learned a couple weeks ago when I had a lipid panel ran 90 days after the prior blood work was that my HDL had increased by 50%, my triglycerides had improved by dropping 50% and that my cholesterol improved by dropping 25% over the last 90 days. There is no way I can prove or disprove at the Wobenzym usage was a factor. My main reason I am testing Wobenzym is to see if I want to add it to my arthritis pain management protocol.

Below is one link that covers different health conditions and systemic enzyme usage so you can see what you think. Will systemic enzymes help you breath better I do not know. I do know running is not without health risks of all.

This supplement is used worldwide but more in Europe. Not sure what you think about German health care skills and practices but Wobenzym has been produced in Germany for 40+ years. It is now also bottled in Canada and the USA I have read.

easyhealthoptions.com/systemic-proteolytic-enzymes/

Best of success in breathing easier.

I have exercise induced asthma. I used to run a lot of half marathons. When I first started, I would use my inhaler and could hardly run a mile, due to my asthma issues and overall cardiovascular shortcomings. As I kept training, I found that my lungs got healthier and I needed my inhaler less and less. I eventually got to a point where I could run my half marathon without use of my inhaler at all. Now that I've switched over to powerlifting and do not run like I used to, I am back to needing my inhaler for even 1 to 2 mile runs.

I don't know the extent of your asthma, but it is possible to train your lungs to be healthier and have fewer problems with the asthma. Just be patient and keep at it (but listen to your doctor of course).