Managing/Minimising Asthma
Discussion
I've always suffered with hayfever since my teens (late 30's now) but during winter months I would be fine and no wheezing etc I was also not affected by dust. I did however always have annual chest infections which needed antibiotics etc.
My asthma suddenly got worse in my 30's...possibly due to building dust exposure or maybe multiple factors. I use the blue/brown inhalers as needed..mainly the brown one for prevention but dust and cold air tend to exacerbate symptoms and colds/flu also make it worse. My asthma tends to manifest itself either by me becoming aware of the wheezing or a sudden 'choke' or cough.I do go gym and it tends not to affect me at least not while training but if wheezy in summer months then cardio becomes more tricky.
I'm aware of NHS/GP guidance but curious if anyone has managed/reduced their asthma by other means e.g: tweaking their diet, removing a food type etc?
My asthma suddenly got worse in my 30's...possibly due to building dust exposure or maybe multiple factors. I use the blue/brown inhalers as needed..mainly the brown one for prevention but dust and cold air tend to exacerbate symptoms and colds/flu also make it worse. My asthma tends to manifest itself either by me becoming aware of the wheezing or a sudden 'choke' or cough.I do go gym and it tends not to affect me at least not while training but if wheezy in summer months then cardio becomes more tricky.
I'm aware of NHS/GP guidance but curious if anyone has managed/reduced their asthma by other means e.g: tweaking their diet, removing a food type etc?
Never did the diet but hear dairy products removal can help. Anecdotal.
House dust is a biggy for me. Cleared out all the carpets apart from a guest bedroom (well, junk room until someone is daft enough to stay then we have to hide it all in the other spare room). The muck under the carpets was an eye opener. Hallway tiled, landing back to bare boards, sanded and varnished. Not sure what you could do with different material under the carpets.
Hoover with a good filter over the exhaust, that single change payed up straight away. Well worth it.
Tried the anti dust mite bedding covers but didn't really make much difference but with wood or laminate there is less dust. Hoover the bed all the time as well.
When I say dust mite, I don't mean bed bugs. This mite is in house dust and a doc mentioned its control hence I binned carpets and stuff. It may be completely incorrect for you before you do anything drastic but made things better for me.
House dust is a biggy for me. Cleared out all the carpets apart from a guest bedroom (well, junk room until someone is daft enough to stay then we have to hide it all in the other spare room). The muck under the carpets was an eye opener. Hallway tiled, landing back to bare boards, sanded and varnished. Not sure what you could do with different material under the carpets.
Hoover with a good filter over the exhaust, that single change payed up straight away. Well worth it.
Tried the anti dust mite bedding covers but didn't really make much difference but with wood or laminate there is less dust. Hoover the bed all the time as well.
When I say dust mite, I don't mean bed bugs. This mite is in house dust and a doc mentioned its control hence I binned carpets and stuff. It may be completely incorrect for you before you do anything drastic but made things better for me.
Hay fever is a strange thing, but just to say things can improve. Mine got progressively worse over the period of about a decade. I started on just the blue inhaler, then the brown was added. After a trip to A and E a few years ago they increased my dosage of the brown one to the max they could and I was getting a bit concerned. Then, the year before last I had much milder symptoms, then this last summer it was much milder again, I didn’t use the brown inhaler at all. Still itchy eyes and sneezing, but minimal breathing problems. I’ve had no obvious change in my environment or lifestyle, so not sure why the improvement.
Thanks for the input guys.
Our upstairs was laminated last yr..only remaining carpet is on stairs and I do think it's made a difference but dust is still an issue...I have no idea how the stuff builds up so quickly...enemy no.1!!
I was always hoping my hayfever would just disappear as I've heard of others having this with age..but no luck yet! On a positive it means I can escape from mowing the lawn so every cloud and all that! I don't know if Vit C helps but am trying to keep my intake up.
I am also mildly lactose intolerant so may try the dairy reduction though not sure if it will help.
Our upstairs was laminated last yr..only remaining carpet is on stairs and I do think it's made a difference but dust is still an issue...I have no idea how the stuff builds up so quickly...enemy no.1!!
I was always hoping my hayfever would just disappear as I've heard of others having this with age..but no luck yet! On a positive it means I can escape from mowing the lawn so every cloud and all that! I don't know if Vit C helps but am trying to keep my intake up.
I am also mildly lactose intolerant so may try the dairy reduction though not sure if it will help.
Never heard of diet helping but the following can certainly agitate it:
- cold drinks (put this with cold air)
- AC
- house dust: as mentioned try to keep things clean
Opening windows may help otherwise how about some kind of dehumidifer / air cleaner. Think the mileage varies on each of these things.
Regular meetings with your asthma nurse at a Dr Surgery can help monitor whether it's getting worse or better.
They will also probably have suggestions
- cold drinks (put this with cold air)
- AC
- house dust: as mentioned try to keep things clean
Opening windows may help otherwise how about some kind of dehumidifer / air cleaner. Think the mileage varies on each of these things.
Regular meetings with your asthma nurse at a Dr Surgery can help monitor whether it's getting worse or better.
They will also probably have suggestions
As a few posters above, house dust aggravates mine, but generally mine has improved over the years. Had a fairly serious attack about 7 years ago due to dust/pets.
Went to the asthma nurse last year and she upped my dose of Symbicourt to two a day and I felt some real adverse effects, shortness of breathe was quite bad.
I’ve changed to almond milk which is meant to help and stick to one dose of Symbicourt a day. Fairly active person so that helps I’m sure.
Went to the asthma nurse last year and she upped my dose of Symbicourt to two a day and I felt some real adverse effects, shortness of breathe was quite bad.
I’ve changed to almond milk which is meant to help and stick to one dose of Symbicourt a day. Fairly active person so that helps I’m sure.
I’ve been on symbicort for a long time.
Just changed to a new yellow inhaler can’t remember what it is called). One puff once a day. Went from using blue inhaler 20 times a week to two times a week.
Look at your hoover too. If you have dust allergies. You need a hoover with a HEPA filter AND a sealed system (ie, no dirty air escapes). Generally dyson have this.
Getting a humidity meter can help tell you when to open the windows or if you need a dehumidifier during the winter months.
If you suffer from exercise induced asthma, using the blue before exercise can help.
Just changed to a new yellow inhaler can’t remember what it is called). One puff once a day. Went from using blue inhaler 20 times a week to two times a week.
Look at your hoover too. If you have dust allergies. You need a hoover with a HEPA filter AND a sealed system (ie, no dirty air escapes). Generally dyson have this.
Getting a humidity meter can help tell you when to open the windows or if you need a dehumidifier during the winter months.
If you suffer from exercise induced asthma, using the blue before exercise can help.
Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Monday 16th March 22:52
VR99 said:
On a positive it means I can escape from mowing the lawn so every cloud and all that!
Our lawns are quite small, ditched the blow it everywhere hover and now have a manual mower. Does a great job, summer it needs a push around every few days. Don't collect the grass, extra easy exercise. All you need is to do is oil the blades before putting it away nd adjust the cutting bar once in a while.Bill said:
One top tip from my GP wife in these interesting times... if your symptoms are worse then double up the brown inhaler as well as the blue.
Doubling up on the brown inhaler from 1 puff twice a day to 2 puffs twice a day did wonders for my hayfever but my GP said do not take more. Still trying to find something that can get my symptoms back under control that doesn't have too many side effects, Montelukast was a real downer for me.If Covid-19 comes knocking on my door I'm going to be in serious trouble.
Seems like I am doing most things right.
I use the brown inhaler everyday without fail and agree it has more of a significant benefit than the blue.
I am also overweight so doesn't help...in real terms we are talking 1.5-2 stones based on recommended weight charts etc I prefer resistance training but increasing my cardio too as even the steady state stuff does help...at least I think it does.
Cold air and cold drinks..didn't realise just how bad they can be at exacerbating asthma...I found out the hard way! I also do have the HEPA filter hoover..we have two just for good measure!
I use the brown inhaler everyday without fail and agree it has more of a significant benefit than the blue.
I am also overweight so doesn't help...in real terms we are talking 1.5-2 stones based on recommended weight charts etc I prefer resistance training but increasing my cardio too as even the steady state stuff does help...at least I think it does.
Cold air and cold drinks..didn't realise just how bad they can be at exacerbating asthma...I found out the hard way! I also do have the HEPA filter hoover..we have two just for good measure!
Bill said:
I assumed everyone was on two puffs as a routine. 
In extremis (IE when it wasn't improving mid cold) she had me taking 4.
Well not for me until some building work in the office sent my well controlled asthma up the swanny to the point it is still not well controlled nearly 2 years later. In extremis (IE when it wasn't improving mid cold) she had me taking 4.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff