Need help please...hiking and asthma

[Smoky Spoon]

I am preparing for my thru-hike in March 2016 and have been hiking at various elevations slowing building up my mileage and the pounds in my pack to carry. My problem is my asthma. No matter how high in altitude I hike or how often, everyday I wake up only to find that going up again in elevation is a struggle more for me than most others. I am relatively fit, but I always seem to have to stop for a minute and let myself adjust to the new elevation. Does anyone else have this problem? And what are you doing for it please? Thanks.

[bigcranky]

Hey, Smoky,

How well controlled are you back in civilization? How many times per week do you use an albuterol inhaler? (You don't have to answer this in public, just something to consider.) I've had asthma since my teens, but it's been well controlled for the last ten years and I don't have issues with elevation here in the Southern Appalachians (up to 6000 feet). I don't have the same lung capacity as someone with normal lung function, but I don't have asthma related altitude issues. I expect you're hiking at much higher altitudes?

Best person to talk to about this is your doc, maybe see a allergy specialist or pulmonologist.

Good luck.

[Smoky Spoon]

Thanks Ken, I have spoke to them and them seem to say increase my aerobic and anaerobic training. I am pretty well controlled, I use the albuterol inhaler may twice a week mostly from the dusty winds in the desert and mountains. I live in New Mexico and hike the mountains here which are 10679 feet above sea level. I on average hike more consistently around during 8200 feet every week often five days a week which would make one thinknows I should be getting adjusted but I still have to stop and let my breathing settle down. I do not have to rest for long, usually less than a minute but still those might uses can add up on the trail.

[bigcranky]

Well, you'll find there is a lot more oxygen at 3500-5000 feet.... :)

[Water Rat]

I can attest to the fact that there is a huge difference (when it comes to asthma) between living in NM, UT and close to sea level. I've had asthma all my life and it is just something you have to learn to watch... Depending on the severity of your particular asthma, you should do a lot better down low. :) In fact, you will most likely feel like you have a new set of lungs! I lived in the 4-Corners area for a good deal of time, but am back closer to sea level now. Major difference.

One warning - You might be allergic to the "different" pollen you will be around. Make sure to keep your inhalers close by.

In the meantime, just keep taking your medication and working on improving your current status. That will only help you on the AT! If you have a chance to get to sea level (between now and spring), take a nice walk. You will definitely see/feel what I am talking about. The elevation difference will mean that you will also be able to drink a lot more than most, so that is something to be aware of as well.

Enjoy your hike! :)

[Snowleopard]

Do you know what your asthma triggers are? Pollens? Molds? Air pollution? Chemicals? Fragrances? Cold air? Exercise induced? Figure this out and you'll have a better chance of avoiding these triggers. If you haven't had allergy testing, get that done. Read up on exercise induced asthma and ask you doctors about it. I.e., exercise induced bronchoconstriction: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/exercise-induced-asthma/basics/definition/con-20033156

"I still have to stop and let my breathing settle down. I do not have to rest for long, usually less than a minute but still those might uses can add up on the trail. " Check your peak flow when this happens (http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/peak-flow-meter ). Is it lower than normal? If it's not lower than normal, it's probably not asthma. In that case, you're just out of breath from insufficient conditioning, or possibly you don't adapt well to altitude. You might consider getting a cheap pulse oximeter to check oxygen saturation (mine works OK: Santamedical SM-110, http://www.amazon.com/Finger-Pulse-Oximeter%C2%A0SM-110%C2%A0-Carry-Wrist/dp/B003TJH3LI )/ref=sr_1_1?m=A8YXBQ7YB5YFQ&s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1442339625&sr=1-1&keywords=santamedical+pulse+oximeter (http://www.amazon.com/Finger-Pulse-Oximeter%C2%A0SM-110%C2%A0-Carry-Wrist/dp/B003TJH3LI/ref=sr_1_1?m=A8YXBQ7YB5YFQ&s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1442339625&sr=1-1&keywords=santamedical+pulse+oximeter) ).

I haven't been to high altitude since I developed asthma, but from my reading it doesn't affect altitude performance much (unless you're exposed to your triggers). Bigcranky: "I don't have the same lung capacity as someone with normal lung function ..." This is not always true for everyone with asthma. I'm way better than most healthy people on all tests of lung function IF I HAVEN'T BEEN EXPOSED TO MY TRIGGERS. Once your asthma has been triggered, high altitude will be worse because there is less oxygen in the air, but the AT is below the altitudes where this should be a factor.

On the AT altitude is not a worry at all. Going up steep hills is hard work, even at sea level.

Concerns for asthma sufferers on the AT are high levels of pollens and molds in summer (these are different from NM), exposure to cigarette smoke at shelters and towns, high levels of air pollution (especially in the south, especially ozone from May to Oct), breathing cold air with an early start in the south or late finish in the north.

I'm sensitive enough to ozone pollution that I'd probably have to start a NOBO hike in Jan or Feb to avoid the worst pollution in the south. I'm also sensitive enough to cigarette smoke that I probably couldn't hang out or sleep at shelters.

[Smoky Spoon]

A girl can hope! ��



Well, you'll find there is a lot more oxygen at 3500-5000 feet.... :)

[Smoky Spoon]

Thanks waterrat, i am hoping this will be the case for me. Some people have trouble with elevation, living so high, I am hoping the problem resolves itself. If not, I guess I will take quite a few minute stops here and there.

[Smoky Spoon]

Yeah Snow leopard I am one of those lucky few who hits on all those triggers....going from one temp to another is a big one for me. I have done a pulse ox, it says I am running low, usually when I stop for a minute I am running in the 80's. It only happens at higher altitudes typically above 6000 ft or more. I know only a few places on the AT hit that so I am hoping I will have minimal trouble. My fitness is not perfect but not bad either, I hike on average five days a week with a pack around 8000 plus feet. I am building up my mileage and weight in my pack, but to be honest it does not matter how far I hike or how much weight I have in my pack, the trouble begins at the elevations that are higher up. I plan on tent camping on the hi,e just because smells get to me so much. My docs seem to think the lower elevations will be helpful to me. Thanks for your input.




Do you know what your asthma triggers are? Pollens? Molds? Air pollution? Chemicals? Fragrances? Cold air? Exercise induced? Figure this out and you'll have a better chance of avoiding these triggers. If you haven't had allergy testing, get that done. Read up on exercise induced asthma and ask you doctors about it. I.e., exercise induced bronchoconstriction: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/exercise-induced-asthma/basics/definition/con-20033156

"I still have to stop and let my breathing settle down. I do not have to rest for long, usually less than a minute but still those might uses can add up on the trail. " Check your peak flow when this happens (http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/peak-flow-meter ). Is it lower than normal? If it's not lower than normal, it's probably not asthma. In that case, you're just out of breath from insufficient conditioning, or possibly you don't adapt well to altitude. You might consider getting a cheap pulse oximeter to check oxygen saturation (mine works OK: Santamedical SM-110, http://www.amazon.com/Finger-Pulse-Oximeter%C2%A0SM-110%C2%A0-Carry-Wrist/dp/B003TJH3LI )/ref=sr_1_1?m=A8YXBQ7YB5YFQ&s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1442339625&sr=1-1&keywords=santamedical+pulse+oximeter (http://www.amazon.com/Finger-Pulse-Oximeter%C2%A0SM-110%C2%A0-Carry-Wrist/dp/B003TJH3LI/ref=sr_1_1?m=A8YXBQ7YB5YFQ&s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1442339625&sr=1-1&keywords=santamedical+pulse+oximeter) ).

I haven't been to high altitude since I developed asthma, but from my reading it doesn't affect altitude performance much (unless you're exposed to your triggers). Bigcranky: "I don't have the same lung capacity as someone with normal lung function ..." This is not always true for everyone with asthma. I'm way better than most healthy people on all tests of lung function IF I HAVEN'T BEEN EXPOSED TO MY TRIGGERS. Once your asthma has been triggered, high altitude will be worse because there is less oxygen in the air, but the AT is below the altitudes where this should be a factor.

On the AT altitude is not a worry at all. Going up steep hills is hard work, even at sea level.

Concerns for asthma sufferers on the AT are high levels of pollens and molds in summer (these are different from NM), exposure to cigarette smoke at shelters and towns, high levels of air pollution (especially in the south, especially ozone from May to Oct), breathing cold air with an early start in the south or late finish in the north.

I'm sensitive enough to ozone pollution that I'd probably have to start a NOBO hike in Jan or Feb to avoid the worst pollution in the south. I'm also sensitive enough to cigarette smoke that I probably couldn't hang out or sleep at shelters.

[Water Rat]

Thanks waterrat, i am hoping this will be the case for me. Some people have trouble with elevation, living so high, I am hoping the problem resolves itself. If not, I guess I will take quite a few minute stops here and there.

My asthma got worse at the higher elevations... It was a huge difference to be down lower... If nothing else, the rest breaks give you a chance to stop and (don't!) smell the flowers! :D I like to take my camera along and use these breaks to capture the moment. I guess I have my asthma to thank for having so many awesome photos. Finally - something good has come of it! ;)