Author Topic: Asthma, exercise and allergies  (Read 4457 times)

Kim

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Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #25 on: 11 April, 2019, 01:55:07 pm »
AIUI the colours/textures of the inhalers are for functional class, rather than specific drugs.  The idea being that you always treat an attack with a blue/smooth inhaler (usually, but not exclusively, salbutamol).  Brown/rough is usually a long-term acting preventer (beclometasone, fluticasone, etc) that won't relieve an attack.  Other colours can mean a combination of preventer and reliever drugs, more exotic preventers, alternative propellants, a medication for something other than asthma, or that the pharmaceutical company thought they looked pretty.

The great thing about this 'standard' is that it's completely unofficial.   :facepalm:


I'm a great believer in liberally distributing salbutamol inhalers throughout my environment for times of need, and if somebody needs to use one, they're welcome to.  I don't have time for this singular "your inhaler" rubbish perpetuated by schools, newbie nurses and amateur asthmatics[1].  That's just a recipe for not having an inhaler when you need one.  Yes they do occasionally go out of date: That means I'm winning.


[1] Sometimes GPs like to fob off adults with a cough by prescribing salbutamol without any real follow up.  Do they have asthma?  Possibly.

Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #26 on: 11 April, 2019, 02:06:19 pm »
and the oily yellow bastards are in bloom as of this week.
I know people love to blame OSR but it's unlikely to be the culprit.

Quote
The self-fertile cultivar of swede rape (Brassica napus) Maris Haplona does not usually autopollinate. The entomophilie pollen grains cannot be transferred by wind alone;

Look to the hedges, and the grasses, and the trees.

Kim

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Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #27 on: 11 April, 2019, 03:45:08 pm »
and the oily yellow bastards are in bloom as of this week.
I know people love to blame OSR but it's unlikely to be the culprit.

I know it's insect-pollinated.  The oily vapours are still an irritant (though only IME on very hot days, when I'm usually more concerned about grass pollen, and a tickly throat is the least of my problems) - I think that's why some people who don't normally suffer from hayfever have problems with it.

In allergy terms it's probably on a similar level to a glycol fog machine:  Which is to say it's mostly harmless unless you're breathing the stuff in large quantities, but the psychosomatic reactions people have can sometimes be spectacular.

Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #28 on: 11 April, 2019, 04:57:53 pm »
OT but the OSR around here has been in bloom for 2 or 3 weeks already. Presumably a newer (dwarfing) variety, but it suits me if it blooms earlier, I hate riding through the stink of it, and it's myriad of pollen beetles, when the weather warms up.
We are making a New World (Paul Nash, 1918)

Wowbagger

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Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #29 on: 11 April, 2019, 05:12:43 pm »
and the oily yellow bastards are in bloom as of this week.
I know people love to blame OSR but it's unlikely to be the culprit.

I know it's insect-pollinated.  The oily vapours are still an irritant (though only IME on very hot days, when I'm usually more concerned about grass pollen, and a tickly throat is the least of my problems) - I think that's why some people who don't normally suffer from hayfever have problems with it.

In allergy terms it's probably on a similar level to a glycol fog machine:  Which is to say it's mostly harmless unless you're breathing the stuff in large quantities, but the psychosomatic reactions people have can sometimes be spectacular.

I recall quite a few years ago driving through Nottinghamshire. My dear wife suddenly started to cough and splutter or no immediately accountable reason until we rounded the next bend and saw many hectares of bright yellow flowering bastards.

In the same way, our older daughter sent her some stocks for Mother's Day. She starts coughing and spluttering when in their vicinity as well.

I'm sure it's not the pollen. It's some pungent oil present in the flowers. Having said that, even when they are in seed, rape plants smell horrible.
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It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Chris S

Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #30 on: 11 April, 2019, 07:07:15 pm »
Association is not causation though.

I find the persistent pong of OSR quite nauseating after a while, if we're out on a springtime audax. Hours and hours of it gets old, but it's never made me reach for the Blue Inhaler as far as I know.

Kim

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Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #31 on: 11 April, 2019, 07:46:14 pm »
I'd rather ride through OSR than Birmingham.  In an allergy sense, I mean.  Obviously most sane people would rather do most things than cycle in Birmingham.

Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #32 on: 11 April, 2019, 07:58:45 pm »
I've already had one on prescription and two weeks reading before and after. Certainly salbutamol works for me. So is that enough to be certain of asthma?

I've looked on the relevant graphs for peak flow and my age, height, etc I should be 600 to 650 level. At best I'm 450. About 10 years ago I could get 500 to 550. Now 450 after salbutamol.

So in real terms I'm not back at the levels I should be at if I didn't have asthma.

I reckon tiredness is something else. Hereditary since three generations of one side now have this habit of dropping off. Just wish it wasn't happening at a younger age with each generation. Could be lack of sleep of course but the performance drop on my regular commute. About 3 years ago my times changed from 25 minutes to 28-30 minutes. Same route, same time and same traffic. A health check have good results for lifestyle and bloods. Nowhere near type 2 diabetes, cholesterol high in good kind, low in bad kind but slightly high overall (if you don't do the ratios you'd be marked as ready for statins I reckon).

I just wonder if asthma can wipe out your fitness levels if not managed. If not then what could do that? IBS? Got that and coping with the symptoms (OTC drugs are a help).

I was diagnosed with asthma near 10 years ago following lingering cough from a chest infection. Peak flow readings stayed consistently between 690 - 750 regardless of my inhaler use and I have always questioned the diagnosis with my GP as my breathing issues were usually triggered when cycling uphill  - I was having to significantly drop my pedalling effort in order to keep my breathing under control compared to before the chest infection ( I'm fairly skinny and have generally been a better than average climber on the bike )  - I have a new GP now who agrees that the inhalers are wasted on me.

Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #33 on: 12 April, 2019, 12:51:45 pm »
I've already had one on prescription and two weeks reading before and after. Certainly salbutamol works for me. So is that enough to be certain of asthma?

I've looked on the relevant graphs for peak flow and my age, height, etc I should be 600 to 650 level. At best I'm 450. About 10 years ago I could get 500 to 550. Now 450 after salbutamol.

So in real terms I'm not back at the levels I should be at if I didn't have asthma.

I reckon tiredness is something else. Hereditary since three generations of one side now have this habit of dropping off. Just wish it wasn't happening at a younger age with each generation. Could be lack of sleep of course but the performance drop on my regular commute. About 3 years ago my times changed from 25 minutes to 28-30 minutes. Same route, same time and same traffic. A health check have good results for lifestyle and bloods. Nowhere near type 2 diabetes, cholesterol high in good kind, low in bad kind but slightly high overall (if you don't do the ratios you'd be marked as ready for statins I reckon).

I just wonder if asthma can wipe out your fitness levels if not managed. If not then what could do that? IBS? Got that and coping with the symptoms (OTC drugs are a help).

I was diagnosed with asthma near 10 years ago following lingering cough from a chest infection. Peak flow readings stayed consistently between 690 - 750 regardless of my inhaler use and I have always questioned the diagnosis with my GP as my breathing issues were usually triggered when cycling uphill  - I was having to significantly drop my pedalling effort in order to keep my breathing under control compared to before the chest infection ( I'm fairly skinny and have generally been a better than average climber on the bike )  - I have a new GP now who agrees that the inhalers are wasted on me.

Considering that the definition of asthma is reversible airways narrowing as defined by a positive response to bronchodilators then you never had asthma.  The more important question is what do you have and could referral to a specialist help?

Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #34 on: 14 April, 2019, 09:53:19 pm »
I'm not being very good at my peak flow recording. So far one record after 2 days. Supposed to be am and pm readings. The good thing is I get regular readings. 300-310 before salbutamol and 400-450 after salbutamol has seemed to work.

It's always the same. Is it cheating if I just put that into the graph sheet the gp printed for me to record it on? If I'm getting the same results is there a chance it could suddenly change? I mean I've done 2 weeks solid before with at least 2 or 3 readings (one before and one after salbutamol for each salbutamol) all with similar readings. That was 3 years ago. I'm getting the same readings even though I've not actually recorded them. If I get anything different I'll record them all. It all seems pointless to me. Low readings for my age / height which jump 150 after salbutamol. Seems good evidence of asthma to me. Will two weeks off the same show anything more?

I should have just asked for an asthma nurse appointment for a spiro thingy test and have done with getting the formal diagnosis. I thought I'd had that 3 years ago but apparently not.

Re: Asthma, exercise and allergies
« Reply #35 on: 17 April, 2019, 09:30:10 pm »
Rough day today. Bad, chesty and rattley cough and cold with difficulty breathing. Salbutamol has been used throughout the day. Every time I take a puff my rattly cough eases. Colds with asthma isn't fun at times.