Chestiness during jogging during cold/minus temps, better to stop? Puff on inhaler a few times and push through? Thank you:)

[Johntightchest]

Hi all, when jogging in cold/minus temps, is it unhealthy to fight through the chestiness? I puff my inhaler (steroid) before and then maybe twice (1×rescue 1×steroid) during the job but am wondering am I doing more damage than good? Hope everyone is breathing well today!

[Hasel17]

Sorry, I'm not perfect with English, but I'll try.

Why using the steroid inhaler? Isn't it the preventer and for a long time?

I learned to use the preventer only in the morning and evening 1 puff, using it more has no benefit but several side effects.

Half and hour before I go for a jog I use my reliever 2 puffs.

When it's very cold outside, make sure you cover your body proper with your usual clothes and a jacket or use a jacket without arms, or 2 or 3 underwear shirts, ...

And use something to cover your mouth and nose, you can remove it temporarily during your jog. Try to in- and exhale through your nose to warm up the air.

I wouldn't cut off the time, but when you don't feel well, I would switch between walking (1-3 minutes) and jogging (2-5 minutes) depends on your fitness level and the temperature outside.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

Your steroid inhaler is meant to be taken everyday (usually twice). Your reliever inhaler (usually blue) usually shouldn’t be needed, and if you’re needing it regularly (3+ doses a week) you are classed as uncontrolled. If you’re using your preventer as prescribed and still having issues contact your GP for a review. If you aren’t doing so, try and use it as suggested and see if it helps.

Exercise is a common trigger for asthma, as such that many people are told to use their reliever before it. If you have the common ‘puff’ style blue inhaler, 1 dose is 2 puffs. Usually this is enough to stop issues. If you then develop asthma symptoms (like tight chest etc) you should stop and take another dose of your reliever and wait for it to kick in (up to 15 mins), before slowly getting back in to it. If you are symptomatic, don’t ‘push through’ it as it’s likely to make your asthma worse.

Cold air is also a known trigger for asthma. Remember to breathe in through your nose and you may want to consider wearing something in front of your mouth (a runners mask etc) to help warm the air.

For more information about inhalers in general; healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Hope this helps

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

I don’t understand the uncontrolled thing. Or rather the doctors approach to it. I’ve had asthama for about 4 months now and Every time I’ve told my doctor about my symptoms they tell me to up my blue inhaler intake for a few days. I always use my other inhaler morning and night. I was given the brown inhaler originally but was still having symptoms and now I’ve just got through about a month of Sereflo. It’s a lot better than it was but I’m still using my blue inhaler more than 3x per week. I understand you have to give treatment time etc and that everyone is different. But is it worth now mentioning a change of meds again after a month of sereflo?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

A new inhaler typically takes 6-8 weeks to fully kick in. During this time some doctors may suggest using more ventolin to cover the fact the preventer is not fully working. However, if after this point you are still needing a lot of reliever then you should go back and explain the situ and the symptoms you are having, and again ask for a change or an add on treatment.

Your reliever of for acute symptoms (cough/wheeze/SoB/tightness) but a controlled asthmatic doesn’t have symptoms. A controlled asthmatic never really uses their reliever inhaler - just has it for jic they hit a big trigger.

Hope this explains better! If you’re new to asthma I’m assuming you’re also doing PFs etc?

[Hidden]

Cold will effect it yes, I did the marathon in October and so trained all through lockdown and different weathers. Keep your inhaler with you, go at a manageable pace, and maybe use a snood.

[BrianJordan]

Last time I pushed through even light exercise it took me 2 weeks to recover.

[Blue3456]

I run regularly when well and I know my lungs well enough to know when I can take a couple of blasts of ventolin, walk for a bit then start running again. That's not very helpful for you if you have been recently diagnosed but it is (careful) trial and error. When my asthma is flaring up/less well controlled this doesn't work (I couldn't run down my street even at the moment😫).

When I'm ok, I often need to have s ventolin/walk break early on in a run. As I warm up it tends to improve. Sometimes I use ventolin before a run if, for example, I have a cold or have been a bit wheezier than usual.

As others have suggested, cold weather makes it worse and I always use a buff over my nose and mouth in winter (a fleece one for very cold days).

I would check with your GP about using the steroid inhaler as relief though. If it's combined it may help, but generally steroids are longer lasting rather than immediate help.

It's very frustrating but hopefully you'll find a way to keep running.

If you are on facebook there is a parkrun for asthma sufferers group and another called dodgy lung runners (or similar) where people will be able to offer advice too.

[Poobah]

If it's only the cold air and not the exercise that's making you short of breath, then protect your airways with a light mask or scarf. If possible, run at a warmer time of day. Use Ventolin before you exercise and carry it with you. If you still get problems try intermittent walking to allow your lungs a chance to recover before jogging again; 2 minute jogging, 3 minute walk etc. Walking to begin with may help, just to get yourself acclimatised to the chill air without putting too much strain on the lungs straight away. Breathing exercises may help too - some resistance breathing before you start. You can buy inexpensive handheld resistance breathing devices online. They work by making harder for you to inhale - really warms up the lungs and muscles.

Happy jogging!