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 | Q&A - 3-Asthma, Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk14

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 ocean air, perhaps that is offset by the constant stress which is also a trigger for my asthma. Temperature and humidity...

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 | Q&A - 3-Asthma, Q&A - DrChrisFanta, Q&A-Expert-wk14

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 prepared.  Have a plan in mind about what to do if you start to have difficulty breathing.  We call that your “asthma...

Can asthma be cured?

by Dr. Chris Fanta | Feb 2, 2017 | Q&A - 3-Asthma, Q&A - DrChrisFanta, Q&A-Expert-wk13

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 often be free of all symptoms for long periods of time. However, even then, asthma is not cured. If a person stops the...

If you have asthma, should you be sailing?

by Dr. Chris Fanta | Feb 2, 2017 | Q&A - 3-Asthma, Q&A - DrChrisFanta, Q&A-Expert-wk13

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.  However, Rich Wilson has worked hard to keep his asthma under good control.  He takes his medications for asthma every...

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

by Rich Wilson | Feb 2, 2017 | Q&A - 3-Asthma, Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk13

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 was especially difficult for my breathing. Question submitted by Ruby, age 9, via News-O-Matic  

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 | Q&A - 3-Asthma, Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk13

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 out of breath. But one good thing is that the air is so clean, and doesn’t have the pollens that I am allergic to...