How I Overcame Many of my Breathing Problems

Long time readers of my blog know that I've had a LOT of sinus and other "breathing problems" over the years. However, I received an article today and continue to receive allergy advice that, while I appreciate, is no longer relevant. So I thought I'd share.

Back in mid- to late-90s, I was diagnosed as an asthmatic. I was having a lot of trouble breathing. I had perpetual allergy problems, horrible sinus drainage, and got a sinus infection at the drop of the hat. I still am prone to getting sick. However, I have learned a lot since then as to the reason I was getting sick.

Yes. I had a deviated septum. It was corrected in the early 2000s. Yes, I took allergy shots, which I feel helped me a lot with allergy problems in general. But those really had little to do with my ultimate problem. That was determined when I finally quit my day job and got some sleep.

Yes, sleep deficiency. I don't sleep well at night and back in the 90s I worked all the time. I took my inhalers and every drug under the sun to "cure" my problems, but none of it really helped. When I started the Bards, I got even less sleep, working late at home, then flying out on weekends and having no sleep Monday morning. I started to get sick.

I think the sickness just exacerbated my problems. My lungs "learned" that sitting in front of a computer 15 hours a day was bad for them. And it made it easier for them to stay sick and have problems. So now when I've been in front of the computer too long, I go for long walks or go to Yoga.

Yoga in particular has been really great because it requires me to stretch those chest and back muscles that get used to slumping in front of a computer. As soon as I do 15 minutes of that my coughing stops, and I feel better. Add to that a good, long night's sleep and I typically don't have many problems.

Yes, the drainage is always there. Yes, I occasionally have allergy problems especially during Cedar fever months. And no, I can't go running without major shortness of breath, but for the most part most of my breathing problems are gone. And I breathe happier.

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posted by Marc Gunn @ Friday, December 28, 2007