Asthma and colds

One of the frustrating things about having asthma, is that a cold to most people is just that - an annoying cold. For those of us with asthma, it's ALWAYS much worse.

I saw a story on Fox25 (Oklahoma City) that explains why. 

 

Here's a quote from Dr. Stanley Fineman, an asthma and allergy expert: 

"Because that asthmatic has airways that are very hyper-sensitive, they're already inflamed, so the virus does more damage in the asthmatic patients than they would do in somebody who doesn't have asthma,"

When you have asthma, your airways are very sensitive and it doesn't take much to push them over the edge. For myself and my three kids with asthma, a cold will turn into bronchitis or pneumonia (and another trip to be admitted to the hospital.) 

I picked up a cold from someone at work, but this time, it hit me a little different. Usually when I get a cold, I get the nasty cough  - the kind of cough where you are coughing so hard that you gag and throw up. Last year, I either pulled a muscle by my rib or broke a rib from coughing. It was soooo painful!!!

This year's cold almost shut my lungs down. I woke up one morning and was weak I could hardly breathe. Just changing out of my bathrobe left me out of breath.

I managed to drive myself to Asthma Doc's office (don't ask me how.....)

I could only speak in a whisper when I got there, I didn't have enough air in my lungs to talk. He didn't hear any bronchitis or pneumonia in my lungs , but I told him I can't seem to get any air in. 

He listened again closely and said I wasn't moving much air at all. Scary!! That same thing had put my kids in the hospital numerous times over the years. He prescribed a steroid to open up my lungs. (I am so weak that I am using the nebulizer for my rescue medication. I can't breathe in deep enough to use my inhaler. When I am that sick, it's easier to just lay there and breathe in the mist from the nebulizer.)   

 I staggered back home from the pharmacy and spent the next 3 days on the couch. There's probably still an indention in the couch where I laid!

If you are sick, PLEASE stay home from work!!!!! Especially if you have coworkers who have asthma. Remember, it may be an annoying cold to you, but to someone with asthma, a cold can be VERY dangerous and put them in the hospital!!