This seems to be a new issue, I didn't find anything like it under the search function. I swim at 5:30 am, and do 2000 meters, freestyle and kick sets. I just recently started taking more strokes between breaths, I was doing 2-4, now I'm doing 6-8. I do have asthma, but I've not had problems swimming before, and I don't have any issues while I'm exercising. The onset of symptoms is usually around 5-6 hours AFTER I finish my workout. Anybody out there ever have this happen?
Parents
Former Member
I have pretty bad asthma. I can use only about 72% of my lung capacity. However, they are so big that's over 12 liters-it used to be over 15liters. All alergists I've ever talked to say that chlorine isn't an allergant, it is an iritant. The high level is really dangerous for most asthmatics. It probably would have sent me to the ER. This is true especially if the water is overly warm or hot.
There was a study in the Lancet during the summer (I think) that said that even though swimming is probably the best sport/physical activity for asthmatics, our lungs undergo certain changes that do not appear in the lungs of nonasthmatic swimmers nor in ashtmatics who do not swim (Personally, I'm very proud opf my mutant nature!). There is also cromolyn sulfate (sp). It is suppose to help with chemically induced 7 activity induced asthma. I've never thought it did much for me. But as eye drops it keeps my eyes from getting red. There is also a study several years ago about using Theodur and swimmers. Many doctors won't use it anymore. I think it is a wonderful drug.
I'm pretty sure (I'm not a doctor, but have done a lot of reading into asthma ) that the problem could have been the high level. The only hting is the delay in onset. It could be that you are coming into contact iwth something else. I've noticed that when I have problems because of chlorine, it happen pretty fast. Are you aspirin sensitive? That is a good indicator that chlorine will bother you. I was told that by an allergist at Wash U in St. Louis. Some one once told me that if the chlorine is high, drink a lot of water and/or Gatorade along wiht your drugs when you begin to notice the effects and right after swimming. It seems to help me. Also, I use a nebulizer and never an inhaler when I get into problems with breathing while doing anything physical. Most asthmatics have real problems getting the medicine into their lungs if they are also breathing heavily because of exercise.
Besides bringing it up with your doctor, talk to a resperatory therapists. I've found out they love to educate the public and are very knowledgeable about really obscure things about asthma.
I have pretty bad asthma. I can use only about 72% of my lung capacity. However, they are so big that's over 12 liters-it used to be over 15liters. All alergists I've ever talked to say that chlorine isn't an allergant, it is an iritant. The high level is really dangerous for most asthmatics. It probably would have sent me to the ER. This is true especially if the water is overly warm or hot.
There was a study in the Lancet during the summer (I think) that said that even though swimming is probably the best sport/physical activity for asthmatics, our lungs undergo certain changes that do not appear in the lungs of nonasthmatic swimmers nor in ashtmatics who do not swim (Personally, I'm very proud opf my mutant nature!). There is also cromolyn sulfate (sp). It is suppose to help with chemically induced 7 activity induced asthma. I've never thought it did much for me. But as eye drops it keeps my eyes from getting red. There is also a study several years ago about using Theodur and swimmers. Many doctors won't use it anymore. I think it is a wonderful drug.
I'm pretty sure (I'm not a doctor, but have done a lot of reading into asthma ) that the problem could have been the high level. The only hting is the delay in onset. It could be that you are coming into contact iwth something else. I've noticed that when I have problems because of chlorine, it happen pretty fast. Are you aspirin sensitive? That is a good indicator that chlorine will bother you. I was told that by an allergist at Wash U in St. Louis. Some one once told me that if the chlorine is high, drink a lot of water and/or Gatorade along wiht your drugs when you begin to notice the effects and right after swimming. It seems to help me. Also, I use a nebulizer and never an inhaler when I get into problems with breathing while doing anything physical. Most asthmatics have real problems getting the medicine into their lungs if they are also breathing heavily because of exercise.
Besides bringing it up with your doctor, talk to a resperatory therapists. I've found out they love to educate the public and are very knowledgeable about really obscure things about asthma.
