More on my exercise program and an unexpected health diagnosis.

Yesterday I continued with the PACE exercise program and had a surprise from a health perspective, whilst in the recovery phase.

You see, since I was young, I have suffered from a burning chest when doing aerobic exercise. I was not diagnosed with Asthma until I was about 36 or 37 years of age, yet I had suffered from it since childhood. Various medical screens I had received over the years missed it because they were not full blown tests. (Excuse the pun). The British Army medical tests ‘missed’ it too because I was not required to submit to a full medical as part of the Reserve and when I did attend for a full medical, I was quickly eliminated on the basis of being too deaf. Likewise with my attempt to join the French Foreign Legion (Légion étrangère).

As usual, yesterday I got the burning chest after doing some skipping, however a friend phoned while I was recovering. My friend happens to be a Surgeon and noticed the Asthmatic wheeze and cough. When he heard what had brought it about and I described my symptoms, he told me that I was suffering from exercise induced Asthma. He further explained that with exercised induced asthma the body produces inflammatories and that there are drugs available to help with the condition, naming one of them.

My friend’s medical/surgical specialty has nothing to do with lungs, asthma etc, yet he told me what no one else has ever done. I am very grateful. Until yesterday I had never even heard of exercise induced Asthma, that it is caused by the body producing inflammatories or that there are specific drugs to treat the condition. I keep an ordinary Asthma puffer in the fridge for occasional use, though the Asthma symptoms (general and exercise related) have been receding in recent times. This puffer is nothing special, just a run of the mill Asthma treatment.

I am shocked that the Doctors I have seen over the years (those who were told about/aware of the Asthma) have never mentioned what my Surgeon friend told me; despite my commenting on the exercise aspect to many of them. I doubt that this exercise related condition has only recently been discovered, so am disappointed to realize the apparent shortcomings of these other Doctors. It raises all sorts of questions across the board and undermines confidence in the quality of medical care one receives. My friend is a top Surgeon in his field so I am not surprised at his razor sharp mind, however because he is not a General Physician/General Practitioner, dealing with Asthma is not part of his normal day to day activities . My friend told me things, at my age of 47, which I should have heard from other Doctors, probably years ago; assuming it is not a recent discovery about the exercise component of some asthma condition.

I have decided not to seek extra drugs to treat my condition. It does appear to be improving anyway, so I will monitor the situation and try to improve it further without recourse to drugs.

Filed Under: Exercise

Tags: Exercise • Fitness • Health • Weight Loss