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?

by Rich Wilson | Feb 6, 2017

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 more

What 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

by Dr. Chris Fanta | Feb 4, 2017

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 more

Can asthma be cured?

by Dr. Chris Fanta | Feb 2, 2017

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 more

If you have asthma, should you be sailing?

by Dr. Chris Fanta | Feb 2, 2017

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 more

Since you are allergic to grass, did you grow up with no lawn?

by Rich Wilson | Feb 2, 2017

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 more

Is it hard having asthma while sailing? Also, do you have a waterproof inhaler in case it gets wet?

by Rich Wilson | Feb 2, 2017

Dear Olivia: Yes, it’s hard, since sailing this boat involves so much exercise and when I am grinding the winches for 300 revolutions, I get... read more

How long have you had asthma?

by Rich Wilson | Feb 2, 2017

Dear Christopher: I’ve had asthma since I was a one-year old boy, so basically I’ve had it for my whole life. The big challenge when I... read more

I noticed that your lung peak flow has increased significantly from 59 to the high 80s, and that it is consistently greater than 80 more than three weeks into the race. To what do you attribute the improved performance of your lungs?

by Rich Wilson | Dec 3, 2016

Dear Neal, I think that there was some reaction I had to some of the area near where we stayed before the start. Plus there was a lot of stress, and... read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Eatv8jB74

Is your asthma problematic for you during the Vendee Globe and do you have everything you need to take good care of you or is the sea air beneficial?

by Rich Wilson | Nov 22, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Eatv8jB74Video can’t be loaded: Q&A with Axelle, Boulogna Billancourt, France... read more

Q&A: Dr. Chris Fanta

by sitesALIVE! | Jun 21, 2016

What are you working on now? I have two exciting asthma-related projects that are currently the focus of my attention, and they are very different... read more