Hi need advice

Hi all, Hi Sherry. Needed a bit of advice thought i'd pop over and see if anybody here can help me. I've had Astma for a while but never had it bad enough for it to bother me.

  But in this past few months its started to bother me more.I've had a lot of chest infections too since my Asthma started playing up. I am on Seratide steroid inhaler(bronchodilators) 2puffs  x twice daily and i've a Salamol one i use whenever i need it.

   Since the really cold weather started i keep getting at least 2/3 periods a day where i have to really concentrate on my breathing cos it feels my lungs aren't working hard enough.

   I also keep getting little strange feelings in my chest as if my lungs stopped for a few seconds then start again, like a heart palpatation but in my chest.Is this the breathlessness that goes with Asthma.

   Is this just the norm for Asthma, i don't know because its never affected me till recently.Do you think i should ask for another treatment maybe?

          Any advice would be appreciated.

                                                Marty

Marty: I'm a respiratory therapist & will try to answer some of your questions. This is just medical educational info only & not meant as medical advice.

Question 1: Why do you get so many chest infections since your asthma started activing up.

It isn't the asthma that is causing your chest infections. It's actually the other way around. Anytime you have a chest infection, sinus infection, fever, etc., you are susceptible to an asthma flareup. A true asthmatic's airways always stay slightly inflammed ... something like running a very low-grade fever. When an infection occurs, the inflammation increases & the body produces more mucous to "put out the fire". If you start feeling like you're getting sick, start taking routine breathing txs to hold off an oncoming exacerbation. (Be sure to ck w/MD) Just like someone w/exercise induced asthma ... they take a tx 15 min prior to exercising/playing sports/etc. Also it's good to do this if you know you are going to be exposed to one of your triggers. Like putting on a raincoat when you see heavy clouds. Make sure you get your flu & pneumonia shots. Sinus infections can set off attacks, also; ask your MD about starting a prophylactic tx.

Question 2: Cold weather causes the airways to constrict, especially if you breathe through your mouth. Make certain you keep your neck covered and breathe through your nose. One of the functions of your nose is to warm the air prior to entering the airways & lungs. I think the full-faced ski mask is great ... providing someone isn't going to think you're going to rob a bank! (little sense of humor here) If you just cannot help but breathe through your mouth, just wear a scarf over your mouth & nose.

Question 3: Shortness of Breath: This is due to air trapping. Asthmatics get the air in, but due to constricted airways, have a hard time getting the "old" air out. The "old" air contains carbon dioxide & the "new" air contains oxygen enriched air. You can correct this by using the pursed lip breathing technique anytime you feel short of breath. (See below)

Step 1: Relax your neck & shoulder muscles. Inhale slowly through your nose for 2 counts.
Step 2: Pucker your lips as if you were going to blow out a candle. Exhale slowly & gently through your lips for 4 or more counts.
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO EXHALE FOR LONGER THAN YOU INHALE. THIS ALLOWS YOUR LUNGS TO EMPTY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. EXHALE DURING THE DIFFICULT PART OF ANY ACTIVITY, SUCH AS WHEN YOU BEND, LIFT, OR REACH. NEVER, NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATH.

Hope this info helps. Good luck!

Thanks for your replies and your advice, you guys are great. I will put them breathing techniques into practice.
Thank You
Marty