Skipper Rich Wilson,
severe asthmatic
Rich’s Pulmonary Function Test
Rich Wilson speaks about his asthma
How do your peak flow values at sea compare to your values at home? I’m thinking the fresh clean air of the ocean might be a blessing but what about the temperature and humidity swings?
Dear John: My asthma is well controlled, and so the peak flows are about the same at sea and on land. Where there may be a benefit from the clean... read moreWhat would happen if you stopped breathing in an asthma attack? I already had a few asthma attacks and don’t know how bad it could be
That is a scary thought! If you stopped breathing from an asthma attack, you would pass out. But you don’t want to ever let that happen. So, be... read moreCan asthma be cured?
In 2017 we do not yet have a cure for asthma. We do have very effective medications that keep asthma under control, so that people with asthma can... read moreIf you have asthma, should you be sailing?
If your asthma is out of control – with coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath – it would not be safe to be sailing alone around the world. ... read moreSince you are allergic to grass, did you grow up with no lawn?
We did have a lawn in front of our house. And I would run around with my friends on it. And in the fall, when leaves would come off the trees, it... read moreRich’s Peak Flow % vs Normal (550)
- 2017 February 19 76%
- 2017 February 16 85%
- 2017 February 14 84%
- 2017 February 12 79%
- 2017 February 11 85%
- 2017 February 09 82%
- 2017 February 08 84%
Peak Flow is a measurement of how much air a patient can exhale in 1 second. It is used as a predictor of asthma attacks. For gender, age, and height, there are Normal Values for Peak Expiratory Flow. By taking his 4 medications daily, Rich’s Peak Flow usually reaches ~70-80% of Normal for him.
