i am a 29 year old female who was diagnosed with athletics induced asthma at the age of 13. I am very athletic, however, i would consider my asthma to be mild (sometimes i will need to use my inhaler during an activity, however, others times i will not). However, this winter and spring i have come down with two bad colds-- each time, i have become very congested and my asthma become irritated by the coughing-- i have to use my inhaler several times/day.
i am just wondering if anyone else has experienced these kinds of symptoms with a cold (i.e. asthma irritation and deep chest congestion)?
It's important to remember that asthma causes airway constriction, inflamation, and increased mucus production. So by getting a chest cold it can irritate the airways increasing their sensitivity to an asthma attack. You mentioned that your asthma was mostly during exercise and maybe when you were stested an exercise test showed that to be the only time you experienced asthma. However, you might want to speak to your doctor about your concerns with the colds and see if he/she recommends a maintaince drug like ipratropium bromide aka atrovent which has drying effects to help with the congestion. Also when you have the cold you could ask them about using a steroid like flovent to help fight the inflammation which will also help prevent the asthma attacks.
I will list a medication rundown for you, It is hard to say what you doctor may recommend, but atleast you'll have an idea what's used for what.
Category 1
Beta2 Agonist - Quick relieving bronchodilator.(relaxes smooth muscle around the airways)
Examples: Albuterol, Metaproterinol aka Alupent
Nebulizer & MDI available
If Heart rate accelerates a lot levalbuterol aka Xopenex may be substitubted for albuterol
Long Acting Beta2Agonists - Does the same thing as the Quick Relieving with a longer time of effectiveness.
(used if Albuterol is needed on a regular basis)
Examples: Formoterol aka Foradil, Salmeterol aka Serevent
MDI and ?????neb????
Anticholinergic - Drying agent and has bronchodilating effects
Examples: Ipratropium aka Atrovent
Nebulizer and MDI
Recently many are finding instead of taking Atrovent they switched to Spiriva which is taken only once a day ....
Long Acting Anticholinergic - Drying agent and has bronchodilating effects.
Examples: Tiotropium aka Spiriva
DPI only (inhalation doesn't have to be AS fast as with a regular DPI)
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Category 3
Steroids = Stabilizer / Anti-inflammatory (makes lungs less reactive and less inflammed.)
Examples: Beclomethasone aka QVAR, Budesonide aka Pulmicort, Flunisolide aka AeroBId, Fluticasone aka Flovent, Triamcinolone aka Azmacort
MDI and ?????neb????
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COMBINATION THERAPY ~ easier for people because it combines the drugs
