Asthma and colds

[catandasthma51]

I've had asthma for four years but don't really know what to do during a cold. I keep coughing and I'm wondering if I should be using my reliver inhaler. any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi Catandasthma51,

A cold is a common trigger for asthma - so if you find you get your usual asthma symptoms then definitely treat them as you normally would. Do you have an asthma action plan? If you don't, it's worth asking for one *personalised for you* - you can get a free template here and take it to your GP or asthma nurse to fill out together (Please ignore if you already have one that works for you!) shop.asthmaandlung.org.uk/s...

I realise it can be confusing with a cold though as you might have a cough from that as well as the asthma! Does your cough respond to reliever currently? If it does, or you have any other asthma symptoms, then take it as you normally would.

You might find this post useful - it doesn't mention colds specifically but is a guide to when to use reliever, among other things: healthunlocked.com/asthmalu...

If you're not sure about anything, you can also give the asthma nurses a call on 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm.

[Mandevilla]

My asthma is usually made worse by a cough or cold, so I quite often have to use the reliever more than normal at these times. And while a 'cough cough' is quite distinctive from an 'asthma cough', I often find that a coughing fit caused by the virus can trigger my asthma anyway!

If you know you get much worse when you have a cough or cold, it might be worth speaking to your GP or practice nurse to ask for advice.

[Bingo88 in reply to Mandevilla]

My big problem is coughing in a morning when I get up. And then the coughing. Obviously makes me breathless. And nothing seems to be helping to get rid of the cough. Brian

[Tree20862]

I always start using my rescue inhaler at least 2-3 times per day at the start of an illness, monitor peak flows and touch base with my pulm, if my peak flows get into my yellow zone. I have a narrow yellow zone. My doc has a "sick plan" for me, too. I do all that to try and prevent a full exacerbation and need for oral steroids. Monitoring peak flows is key.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Tree20862]

Makes sense to keep an eye on things, including your peak flows if that works for you!

I realise you were specifically talking about what you do, Tree20862. However, I do want to add for anyone else reading that monitoring peak flow doesn't always work so well for everyone. For some people like Tree20862 it's very helpful, for others it isn't that helpful. It can take a bit of trial and error to work out what your own warning signs are, and that should be included in an asthma action plan personalised to you. (And obviously using your personal best peak flow once you know it, not your predicted, which is just a starting point and may be higher or lower than your actual best).

I find my peak flow on its own as a percentage of my best isn't that helpful, but monitoring how well peak flow and symptoms respond to reliever is more useful for me. For others peak flow is really not helpful at all (which is really annoying as drs can often forget it's not the same for everyone!)

[Tree20862]

I agree.