Smoking and Asthma

[danthebugman]

So my wife has been suffering from bouts of coughing the last several months and finally decided to go to the doctor about it last week. He sent her to have some tests done yesterday and turns out...she has asthma. So being the loving husband that I am...I've been looking for info on how to mitigate the effects of my hobby. I don't smoke in the house or anything so that shouldn't be an issue. I usually change clothes when I come home from being out and having cigars too. Seem to have my bases covered there. Was wondering if anyone had a wife/child/third cousin that lives with them, who may have asthma? Any tips or observations you may have would be great.

Bet you thought this was going to be a spam posting didn't you? :nono: :laugh:

Dan

 

[Clint]

I'm sure someone will come up with something, but I can't think of anything else you could possibly do.

Seems like the actual smoke itself would be the biggest issue, and you have that covered....:dunno:

 

[amsgpwarrior]

Smoke of any kind that may be present on your clothes, household items, or basically anything can become an allergen for people with asthma. It triggers the response when they inhale it and it hits either the sinus cavity or lungs. So it is very hard to keep up the hobby and safely not trigger her asthma. Make sure she gets on a medicine regimen that reduces the chances of having an asthma attack and make sure she has back up inhalers just in case she may need them. Be careful because some asthma medicines can reduce the affectiveness of corticosteroidal inhalers.

 

[danthebugman]

Smoke of any kind that may be present on your clothes, household items, or basically anything can become an allergen for people with asthma.

Yeah and we have a house full of pets :lookaroun.

Dan

 

[orangedog]

It may be worthwhile to shower before you come back inside as well. My wife doesn't have asthma so it isn't really comparable, but she is very susceptible to allergens (bad allergies). Generally speaking, I keep the clothes in plastic bags until washed (or keep them outside), shower up, extra mouthwash, brush teeth, etc. all before coming back into the house where she is.

 

[WMGF]

If it's any consolation, if it's just coughing then her asthma may not be that bad - especially if she hasn't had an attack. I have asthma but it's only triggered when I'm around heavy smoke and actually inhaling smoke (like if I'm smoking inside) so it hasn't really been an issue.

 

[Pietastervw]

I have had asthma myself since I was about 8 or 9 and its actually pretty bad. I just always took the position that it is what it is but I'm not going to let it stop me from doing something I enjoy, only live once. I think you've got it pretty covered by not smoking in the house as that will probably be her biggest trigger. Like WMGF said its more of the inhaling of the actual smoke. As far as your pets go if she has problems sleeping at night, I did after we got our first dog a few years ago, I started sleeping with a fan on in the bedroom just to keep the air circulating and I found that helped out quite a bit for me. As far as meds go I've been on quite a few different ones and I've found the best one for me has been the Advair which is a controller. I started out using the diskus version then got switched to the newer inhaler type which personally I like much better. All in all for now just pay attention to whats going on when she starts having issues and coughing. Once you learn what her triggers are you will be much better off and then finding a controller med that works for her. Good luck and any questions I can try and help out with I'd be happy to.

 

[vivalanation734]

I have asthma.... :frown:

Luckily it hasn't interfered with my hobby. I think your ideas are pretty spot on.

 

[Nickerson]

I have exercise induced asthma. Cigars never gave me a problem.

My mother has asthma and use to smoke cigars, she got a bad respiratory infection they thought may be cancer, but it ended up being Sarcoidosis, thank god.

I would recommend seeing an allergy and asthma specialist. I had to see one after my Christmas ordeal with walnuts which sent me to the hospital. Everyone's asthma works differently so you really need to see a specialist.

 

[Craig Mac]

Find a new wife, problem solved :devil:







(the above was intended as a joke and should be taken as such, any hurt feelings are the responsibility of the reader)

 

[TreeFrog Frank]

(the above was intended as a joke and should be taken as such, any hurt feelings are the responsibility of the reader)

Can I use this disclaimer, as well, in most of my posting?



Dan...

Carey has asthma, as well. Her asthma isn't very severe, though. She can actually sit around her father and I when we're smoking cigars, and never has any issues. But on the other hand, pets (other than our fat-ass cat) set it off a bit. Also, she has more difficulties breathing around her parents' house, in which her mom chain-smokes while we're not there, and occasionally while we're there.

I honestly can't think of anything else, really, that you could do to lessen effects on her from your smoking. I hate to say it, but the pets might be more of a factor to her, than your smoking.

I hope Mac gets better now, that she has gotten to the Dr. and is more aware of what's going on.

 

[skynyrd09]

I am in the asthma club as well, having it since I was little. I have never let it slow me down or stop me from any activities such as biking & running to hobbies such as cigars. Just something I live with and have to be aware of at all times. I do not have daily issues anymore with my asthma but I do occasionally have full blown asthma attacks that can be scary. My advice to anyone with asthma is just to be aware of the symptoms of an asthma attack. Know when it becomes hard to take full breathes; know what it is like when you start to really wheeze and your chest feels like someone is standing on it; and never leave the house without your inhaler!

I think not smoking in the house will help as it might be a trigger for her asthma, but really anything can be a trigger depending on the person. Not only smoke but allergies, strong odors, exercise, having a cold, and even stress can be triggers for an asthma attack.

As with other advice people have given, have her see an allergen/asthma specialist!

 

[treatneggy]

My wife has asthma. I smoke outdoors, and it doesn't seem to bother her much, except when she complains about the smell when the smoke seeps into the house through an open door or window.

Colds, on the other hand, very quickly escalate into bronchitis/pneumonia if she doesn't take her medicine at the very first sign of the cold coming on.

 

[issues]

I too have Asthma...

I have found allergens such as pollen, dust and animal dander much worse for me than smoking cigars. I will admit sometimes when I go to big cigar events where there is a lot of smoke in a building it can bother me a bit.