Lung Function Lower????

I am a singer (have lessons as well) but have been struggling with volume and run out of breath quickly on long phrases. Do asthmatics have a lower lung function that normal people?? My teacher is puzzled and I really need to sort this problem out.

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Hello 007-from what I can gather most asthmatics do have a lower lung function than most people ,but it isnt cast in stone so go to your GP ,the test takes minutes-hopfully for you it wont be asthma.

Bluejam.

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I am an asthmatic and do have a lower lung function. I was just wondering if asthmatics always have a lower lung function all the time. Do you know???

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Sorry Ben,IM not 100% sure about that-but there are a lot of very helpful people on the site so Im sure youll get the info you need soon-apologies for not being more helpful.

Bluejam1878.

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Doesn't have to be lower all the time. When my asthma is bad my lung function is lower and pf's drop, but when it is good my lung function is generally normal. Maybe you need your treatment changing to help improve your lung function. I got sent to the gym by my GP and my lung function has improved gradually over the weeks that I have been going. That may help with you but you need GP's consent to go - he may even refer you and then you can get discount if you have that scheme running in your area.

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Hi Ben,

Sorry to hear you are having problems with your singing; I have problems too but mainly not being able to carry a tune!

To try to answer your question, it really depends what you mean by lung function. There are many different tests of lung function, and different ones will be abnormal in different conditions. The main ones that are measured in asthma are the peak flow rate and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), both of which are measures of how strongly you can breath out. These are usually low during a flare-up or in uncontrolled asthma, but should be normal in between attacks or if well controlled.

If your asthma is poorly controlled and your peak flow and/or FEV1 are low, this could certainly affect your singing in the way that you describe. You might also have other symptoms of poorly controlled asthma, such as cough, chest tightness, wheeze and night-time or exercise induced symptoms. If this is the case, it's worth popping to your GP or practice asthma nurse to see if your treatment needs increasing. You don't mention if you measure your peak flows at home but this is a good way of keeping an eye on things yourself. In 95% of patients the goal of being symptom-free with normal lung function should be achievable with the appropriate medication, and getting better control is important for all sorts of reasons, not just to improve your singing!

In general, singing (and playing wind intruments) is good physiotherapy... it should improve your numbers and help your breathing. As an example, my (non-asthmatic) husband is a singer and can get a peak flow of over 700, even though his predicted peak flow based on his height and age is around 630. So I would thoroughly recommend that you carry on with your singing! (sadly, I cannot recommend the same thing to myself... no-one really deserves to hear me sing!)

Hope this helps,

Em H

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Hi

I have vioce problems and have had for some years. Unfortunately not through ability to sing.

My speach therapist says my asthma makes the problem worse as I don't have the breath to support my voice, especially when asthma is playing up. Hope this helps.

Have a great Christmas

Molly