Cold Air and cough - Asthma Message Board

damoquin · 11-24-2007, 08:23 PM

It happens every year without fail..no matter how many times I tell myself that I'm not going to let it happen. As soon as the temperature drops..every time I go outside, I have a horrendous coughing and gasping fit. It's like every breathing passage in my body collapses. It's to the point that I almost vomit from coughing so hard. Is this asthma? cold induced, perhaps? And how do I get it to stop? I just recently started an outside sales position and will be in and out of the cold every day. I just can't go through another winter like this...can someone help?

Thanks !

damoquin · 11-25-2007, 08:11 PM

Nobody?? Geesh guys..someone has to know something about this....

Gabby2007 · 11-25-2007, 08:24 PM

Sure. It sounds like cold is triggering asthma for you - a fairly comon trigger. You need to go to a doctor to get properly diagnosed. If you do have asthma, the doc will give you a "rescue" inhaler, like albuterol, to use 10 - 15 minutes before you go into the cold. It's simple and easy to deal with, especially if cold is the only thing that triggers your breathing problem.

Until you go to the doc, you can try partly covering your mouth with a scarf when you go outside. That will warm the air before you breathe it, probably eliminating the breathing problem. Of course, the appearance of that might not work so well on the job...

damoquin · 11-25-2007, 09:07 PM

Thanks for the reply Gabby. I was given a rescue inhaler last fall for what the pulmonologist thought was asthma triggered by a sinus infection. Ended up with a neb at home and a portable one as well. Used it for about 8 weeks. I'll try using the albuterol prior to going out next time and see if it makes a difference. Thanks for the insight....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabby2007

Sure. It sounds like cold is triggering asthma for you - a fairly comon trigger. You need to go to a doctor to get properly diagnosed. If you do have asthma, the doc will give you a "rescue" inhaler, like albuterol, to use 10 - 15 minutes before you go into the cold. It's simple and easy to deal with, especially if cold is the only thing that triggers your breathing problem.

Until you go to the doc, you can try partly covering your mouth with a scarf when you go outside. That will warm the air before you breathe it, probably eliminating the breathing problem. Of course, the appearance of that might not work so well on the job...

MountainReader · 11-26-2007, 10:55 PM

Very cold air and bad air are primary triggers for my asthma. My symptom is a bad cough similar to what you described. I think I had it for years before actually being diagnosed. You are doing well if you are already seeing a doctor for this. In addition to my rescue inhaler, I also take daily meds to prevent my chronic coughing outbreaks. Also, I try to wear a scarf over my mouth and nose when I know I will be out in extreme cold air.