Keeping the cold and damp off my chest

[Leigh Robinson]

Hi

I want to be able to enjoy the woods through the colder, wetter months but have asthma. Is there anything I can do to keep the damp off my chest?

 

[EdS]

goose grease and brown paper used to be a favourite

 

[BorderReiver]

A merino wool vest is a lot less messy than goose grease.

 

[Shewie]

Isn't asthma caused by atmospheric conditions such as high and low pressure, humidity and changes in weather etc ? I'm not a sufferer myself so maybe I'm not the best to comment, but the wife used to get it really bad and now just tries to get on with her life. I've only seen her suffer badly recently after dragging her up a vertical hillside under Mont Blanc in the summer, a shortness of breath and a slowing pace made us decide to turn back eventually. Interestingly about three hours later we had the mother of all thunderstorms which rumbled on all night and Carols condition didn't really improve that much. The next day the skies had cleared, the weather was less clammy and muggy and we decided to take the same route up again. This time she sailed up no problem and we had the best day out ever exploring the foothills around Mont Blanc. I'd be interested to hear if there's any sense in this or whether it was just coincidence.

 

[maddave]

Hi Leigh
I'm a chronic Asthma sufferer and I find just sensible clothing and good sleeping gear the answer. I layer up in the cold and have a paramo outer shell which doesn't get clammy even in the worst wet. When bedding down ensure you're insulated well. Sleep mat for ground dwelling or underblanket for hammocking and a sleeping bag fit for purpose. Never take the manufactures claims of isulation as gosple however...If it says comfort is to -20 knock it back to -10 and you won't be far wrong. When going to bed make sure you're sleepwear is dry and warm and wear a hat !!.
Most of all..Get out, have fun and remember your meds !!

 

[superc0ntra]

I once saw a guy with some kind of breather tube which heated the air on inhalation like a heat exchanger

 

[lub0]

you can cure it easily through diet by avoiding mucus-forming foods such as White flour, milk and White rice. Google "mucusless diet".

 

[Cobweb]

I've got mild asthma, nowt so bad that I need an inhaler for, although I do need to stop and rest on hikes now and again for the tightness to go away, normally a couple of minutes does the trick.
Anyway, I found that I do better in winter without central heating. The shock of walking outside from a warm house really tightened the tubes, so one year when I was ultra skint, I just added layers rather than putting the heating on and I noticed that my chest wasn't tight any more going from inside to out.

When it's really cold, having a scarf that I can pull up and over my nose works very well.
It seems as if my breath warms the material and the dampness helps humidify the air coming in.


If you want to try life without central heating you need to turn it off now. As the weather gets colder your body adapts, if you wait until proper winter to turn it off, you will be cold.
Kids adapt the best, their bodies don't seem to have our inbult preconceptions.
Another bonus of no central heating is the less likely hood of getting ill. I used to get at least three colds each winter but now, without central heating, I haven't had a single one for the past five years, not one cold.

Turned it off and feeling cold?
Put another layer on, remember thinner layers are better than one thick jumper.
Sometimes you get the shivers even with plenty of thin layers... take a hot bath

I tell you another thing, if you live in a terrace your neighbours will keep you warm, about 15deg's on the thermometer

 

[rik_uk3]

Leigh, here is not the place to ask really, go and talk to your GP and explain your trip plans and he may offer a change in medication.

Little tips that work for one member and their asthma many not work for you so talk to a Doctor mate.