Help, I'm suffering with noticably bad lung capacity.

PostieJohn

I've been back on the road, for a couple of months now, and I'm sure, over my winter break, something has happened to my breathing.
Even taking into consideration the time of year, fitness, cold air, the lot. I'm really struggling to breath after only the slightest amount of excertion. It's definately down on last year.

I'm border-line asmatic (not that I can spell it), but don't smoke.

Is there anything i can do to improve this.
Obviously being a bloke I'm not prepared to speak to a Dr when I can sit here and worry myself stupid.

jonginge

The Wellness version of the PowerBreathe may be of help. I've seen some other posts on here to say it does help for asthmatics:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... %20Trainer

I've got the performance version of the plus and it does work but I don't use it enough :oops:

jellybellywmb

Visit the Dr would be my advice, I struggled for years and found out I had asthma. Two puffs on an inhaler every morning made my life much better.

hodsgod

jellybellywmb wrote:

Visit the Dr would be my advice, I struggled for years and found out I had asthma. Two puffs on an inhaler every morning made my life much better.

Absolutely agree, don't take any notive of anyone on hear regarding health (no disrespect intended) The only one to advise you on health factors is a Dr.

My advice being an engineer, is don't take risks with your health, and of course " don't listen to me" :-)

PostieJohn

But is it possible to develop asthma, aged 38?.

jellybellywmb

Yes, I developed Asthma at 28 so 38 I would think also possible. You may have had mild Asthma for years but just ignored it.
Mine apparently could have been brought on by the vst amount of time I spend driving,apparently Diesel fumes can cause it.
There are so many things that can have an effect so always best to let the Dr do his thing,better safe than sorry.
Apart from mild bresthlessness I hasve had one severe attack when I had a chest infection and I can quite easily say it was the scariest thing that ever happened to me.

bazza59

postiejohn

I developed asthma at 40.
When I asked my GP if this was unusual he stated that it was quite common for blokes in their early 40's to start exhibiting symptoms.

Mine is easily kept under control using the blue and brown inhalers.
I would definitely recommend going to talk to your GP and getting treatment.

baz

meagain

Your local GP surgery might well have a "lung function" specialist nurse attached (well, mine does). The latest kit is vey good for identifying problems in lung capacity. Mine's about 70% as I recall: cycling has stoped it reducing any further over last 3 years or so. After 50 years of fags it ain't going to improve WHATEVER I do.

Go to the Docs - even if a fount of medical knowledge on here, any diagnosis by correspondence will be a bit hit and miss!

Alibran

Go to the doctor. If you already have asthma to a degree, it could certainly have got worse, and as other posters have said, it isn't just your cycling that could be affected if you have an "attack".

I'm a lifelong asthmatic, and tend to be pretty blase about it, and think I know what's best for me better than any doctor, but since you don't have much experience of it, you could really do with getting checked out by a professional.

Meanwhile, when you're cycling, concentrate on breathing out (don't worry about the in breath - that will take care of itself), and make sure you empty your lungs completely on every out breath. If it's asthma, that should help a bit.

tonywar

Definately go to your doctor. There are many reasons for becoming breathless as well as asthma. Early diagnosis is always the best diagnosis.

Rich Hcp

tonywar wrote:

Definately go to your doctor. There are many reasons for becoming breathless as well as asthma. Early diagnosis is always the best diagnosis.

Couldn't agree more.

PostieJohn

ok ok I'll go to the dr's on Thursday.

meagain

We'll check that you DO, mind!

AndyGates

I had this, went to the doc, got prescribed with the brown (morning) and blue (exertion) puffer. Job done, I'm back to having lungs like an ox. I'm 37. So go, dammit.

PostieJohn

Well just back from the Dr's.
Blood test and further breathing tests, next week.

Throughout the dr was saying 'can be effected by loads of different things, like weight etc.
I explained that I'm just starting back on my bike, after a winter break, and historically I lose plenty of weight over the next couple of months.
I was quite blaise about shedding a few pounds.
This went back and forth until I was leaving, at which point he said, yeah losing 2 stone should be fine.

2 stone, I nearly past out, I haven't weighed 12 and a half stone for about 15 years, it's not like I'm short either.

Rich Hcp

Letrs hope all the tests are ok