A
female
age
30-35,
*amkids
writes:Hi. So, on a regular basis i do light to moderate exercise. But i never ever run unless im forced to in p.e (im still on summer break). But whenever i do run my throat fills up with phlem and it makes it harder to breathe. ive never smoked before and im not aware of and health problems that would do this. i dont have asthma either. is there a way to stop this? Reply to this Question
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Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
male
reader, Fatherly Advice +, writes (6 August 2009):
 A peak flow meter tests how fast you can breath out. It is used to help in treating asthma. I was thinking it was used in diagnosis but often it is unreliable for that. In Asthma the airways contract and the peak flow readings drop from 100% to 80% - 50% and less as an attack occurs. This makes breathing much harder and exercise impossible. In me it feels like my throat fills with phlegm and I have painful coughs. My attacks are quite minor compared to my daughters. The meter is a tube or a box that you blow into as hard as you can. It has a sliding scale that records how hard you blew. If you can catch an attack starting you can void it by using medication, or changing your activity. Many things can trigger an asthma attack, smoke or dust or pollen, Cold air, or exercise, or even stress. You probably have no allergy related triggers. A second attack is more likely than the first attack. For example if you are out playing soccer and you get that my throat is full of phlegm and I cant breathe feeling, you stop for a few minutes and try to walk it off. You get feeling better so you jump back into the game only to get that feeling again right away. It usually takes around 2 hours to break the cycle without medication (like an inhaler).
As Gina pointed out only a doctor can diagnose asthma. If you are worried about participating in P. E. class this year, go see a Doctor before school starts. Tell the Doctor about your symptoms. The fact that you avoid running is almost a smoking gun. If the Doctor diagnoses you with Asthma ask him/her to write an action plan for you and give a copy to your coach, before school starts if possible.
Asthma does not mean you can't be athletic. As a matter of fact they are now encouraging asthmatics to be as active as they can. This actually helps the asthma. Some asthmatics are Olympians or professional athletes.
There are a lot of facts available at the American Lung Association web site lungusa.org , including action plan forms and peak flow meter info.
Feel free to write back for more info.
FA
A
female
reader, damkids +, writes (6 August 2009):
damkids is verified as being by the original poster of the questionwhat is a peak flow meter test? maybe your right.
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A
male
reader, Fatherly Advice +, writes (5 August 2009):
Are you sure you don't have asthma (exercise induced). Have you been to a doctor and taken a peak flow meter test? Your symptoms sound just like my daughters.
What we did when she was in junior high was put her on a tread mill at my health club. She learned to warm up, and to anticipate the attacks, and slow down. When she had her high school PE class we were ready with an asthma action plan we turned in to her coach before school started. That made it easier for everyone.
FA
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