What To Do

Categories

Social Bookmarks

Feeds

General Fitness & Nutrition: Asthma and excess mucous

Bottom of Page

1 to 9 of 9

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberFrankie56
    • CommentTimeSep 5th 2007
     
    Frankie56

    I have recently been diagnosed as having exercise-related asthma. I am using an inhaler just before running and it seems to be making my breathing easier. Does anyone have any tips for me?

    Also, I have excess mucous at the back of my throat (sorry) and have to keep coughing and swallowing to clear it while running. Someone suggested taking an Actifed tablet before running to dry it up. I'm worried this will make me feel very thirsty. What do you think? (I am seeing my GP in a few days to discuss this with her.) 

    • CommentAuthorFree Membermelydia
    • CommentTimeSep 6th 2007
     
    melydia

    I have exercised-induced asthma as well.  Taking my inhalers (yes, both of them) before running has does wonders for my breathing.  Just be sure to rinse your mouth out well after using the inhaler, to avoid damage to your throat.  I also recommend bringing your inhaler along on longer runs, just in case.

    As for the mucus, if you haven't been prescribed any kind of allergy medicine, maybe try Mucinex.  It dries up the snot without making you thirsty.  I also make sure to blow my nose before running.

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberFrankie56
    • CommentTimeSep 6th 2007
     
    Frankie56
    Thanks for your reply. I usually have to carry a tissue with me plus a bottle of water and now  my inhaler. Might try the Micinex if my GP doesn't come up with a suggestion on Monday.
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberB-Grrrrl
    • CommentTimeSep 10th 2007
     
    B-Grrrrl

    Hi Frankie

    I have Asthma and although I have a couple of puffs before I run, I still get to coughing and clearing my throat for the first 2 or 3 miles of a run but wierdly my lungs and pipes seem to settle down after that and it stops.

    Its as if my body knows it's in for the long haul and it stops protesting and gets on with working properly!!

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberehennessey
    • CommentTimeSep 10th 2007
     
    ehennessey

    Frankie,

    You might want to also try a controller medication in addition to your fast-acting rescue inhaler.  While your rescue inhaler may calm the wheezing and shortness of breath, you may still have underlying inflammation.  A combination maintenance therapy such as Advair or Symbicort might help with the mucous and even decrease your need for the rescue inhaler.

    Fellow asthmatic and runner,

    Erin 

  6.  
    snipehunter

    Hello fellow asthma runners,

    I have been dealing with asthma for 18 years now, and I have decided to stop using my inhaler when possible.  Using an inhaler works, but it doesn't improve the condition.  I am currently trying to overcome some of the symptoms through relaxation and concentration on breathing.  I have found that when I start to run my asthma will flair up.  To beat this I relax, take it easy for the first mile or two, and I use a breathing visualization.  I imagine breathing in a cooling blue mist on inhalation (this helps me focus on breathing deeply) and then I imagine trying to blow away an anvil with my exhalation (this helps me focus on breathing all the way out).  The more I exercise without using medication, the less my asthma reacts.  If I use medication it makes it more reactive again.  I still have an inhaler and use it occasionally, but I don't use it for mild symptoms.

     Also, with the mucus thing I find that if I stay super hydrated I have less of a problem with mucus being sticky.  It's still there, but it drains more easily.

    Cheers,
    Derrick

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberyippikiyo
    • CommentTimeSep 10th 2007
     
    yippikiyo
    I'm fortunate not to have asthma but I do have issues with mucous. My dentist said that some people just make thicker saliva and I fit into that category. Staying well hydrated helps and the biggest change I saw in getting rid of or at least lessening the feeling of having an oyster in my throat (I knew you'd like that ;) was getting as close to vegan as possible. Dairy products make your body produce more mucous. Try it for 2-3 weeks and see if it helps you. good luck yippikiyo
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjilkholt
    • CommentTimeOct 21st 2007
     
    jilkholt

    Hello-

    My daughter and I both have trouble with the mucus in the throat while running.  She runs cross country and her race distance is 2 miles.  So she has a problem for her entire race.  I run full and half marathons.  Usually after the first three miles-alot of hacking/spitting and sometimes heaving, it goes away.

    I am glad to know we are not alone.  We will try mucinex.  Hopefully, we will get some releif!  Any new ideas or suggesstions are welcome!!

    Thanks.

  9.  
    iainogilvie44

    Hi Frankie,

    I'm not really adding anything new here but for me in my experience the comments from snipehunter/Derrick above are spot on.

     1.  Set off at an easy pace for the first mile - let the breathing adjust/get into a routine and then start to inject pace.  The runs where I have struggled asthma-wise have been where I have gone off too fast.  As B-Grrl says above get through the first 2-3 miles at a comfortable pace - then the body seems to stop complaining.

    2.  Hydration, hydration, hydration = less mucus - certainly in my experience.

     3.  Medication wise I have used a preventative inhaler/bronchodilator for years and would never advise going against your doctors advice in terms of taking medication.  But I have gone through phases where I have tried to ween myself off inhalers and have come to similar conclusions as Snipehunter above:  "The more I exercise without medicationthe less my asthma reacts".

    Great thread guys! 

     

1 to 9 of 9

  1.