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Asthma and running
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I don't like the thought of being dependant on the daily inhaler either but having suffered one asthma attack and now feeling free of all symptoms plus getting used to not worrying where the next breath was coming from at races, I can accept the medication as part of life.
I keep an open mind to complimentary/alternative medicine too and only today bought some essential oil soaps at a craft fair which have beneficial effects to the lungs and respiratory system.
Plus I have regular reiki treatments and always feel something working on my lungs during the treatment.
I tried a spinning class last night for the first time. Was puffing like a steam train in a matter of minutes! However... at the beginning I had that lovely feeling of lungs opening and although I was gasping for air it was in a good way.
After a few minutes though I felt a familiar tightening in my chest and eased up, continuing to pedal at a slow and steady rate concentrating on breathing out firmly (the specialist recommended puffing out, just like at antenatal classes) and staying below the spasm level. However my heart rate shot up to about 200 (I'm 48) and hovered at silly levels for the remaining time. After 25 minutes I decided discretion was the better option and left the class.
I had rather stupidly left my ventolin in my bag as it hadn't occured to me that cycling could trigger an attack. Today I'm coughing.
I now realise that, as well as breathing exercises helping me to control the spasms, the exercise induced element of my attacks is directly related to the level of stress on my body.
My next goal (along with remembering the inhaler at all cardio-vascular events) is to improve my base fitness to push the spasm point further away.