Like many people I eat too much, too quickly and eat too much sugary junk.
I certainly noticed a link between using my inhaler more after a food binge, especially with bad carbohydrates.
Thankfully I'm at the stage in life where I'm starting to take control and be responsible for my health. (it's never too late!)
Not once did a health professional or asthma nurse comment on weight gain/diet/sugar in relation to asthma and medication use - see my other post on breathing technique.
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Joe8888
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Totally agree regards junk food and asthma. I also agree that not once has diet been mentioned by either my Dr or asthma nurse. I think they concentrate on drug management. There is no scope in current medical system for diet. Sugar is trigger that I’ve noticed and one of worst is aspartame which is no in most things like drinks, chewing gum etc, since government put a tax on sugar to try to ease obesity.
This area is definitely overlooked. I'm someone who has sensitivities to a number of foods. Best trying to eat a balanced, non processed diet. Many of the diet/low sugar versions of drinks etc have lots of aspartame, xanthe gum etc in which really don't react well with me or my asthma!
I must be lucky as my GP surgery has a health coach who patients can be referred to when lifestyle affects their health, such as diabetes, blood pressure and asthma. My asthma nurse referred me in April but as there was a waiting list I went ahead and started intermittent fasting for 4 weeks before introducing keto. 5 weeks in and I had my first appointment with the health coach and expected to be advised to change to a calorie controlled diet. However, the HC was really surprised and excited that I had chosen IF/Keto as they recommended it for patients and had good results in terms of of better health.
My blood pressure is heading for normal, I've been able to drop my LAMA inhaler (after 12 weeks) and my asthma is now well controlled. Can't remember when I last felt so good. I get regular telephone appointments with the HC and this is important for keeping me on the straight and narrow. As I have AERD as well as asthma, what I consume is very important and dropping processed foods and carbs has definitely worked for me. I have cheat days and today's a cheat day as it's new year's eve.
I must admit that my asthma nurse had been advising me to drop weight for some time but she only referred me to the HC when I said I was struggling to even start dieting (except this doesn't feel like a diet). The existence of the HC does seem to be a secret though and not advertised on our surgery website. I wonder how many are hiding out there?
If you're overweight its a very good idea to cut down/ out on the simple carbs and sugar to avoid diabetes & high blood pressure - personally I dont want that on top of everything else. Plenty of good complex carbs to choose from.
My lovely healthy very active creative sister with only slightly high blood pressure recently had a massive stroke & is paralysed on left side with all that entails. P
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