Mr. Asthma

Question:

>My husband was diagnosed with asthma caused by long term sinus infections a >couple of years ago.  (He never got a headache so didn’t even realize his >sinuses were infected.)  Since then, he has had two sinus surgeries and >things are much better in that area.  He does not have "attacks" where he >cannot breathe, but he does cough a lot and brings up thick, sticky >phlegm–sometimes it is almost hard.  He uses Seravent and Flovent a.m. and >p.m.  Do asthmatics always have that thick mucous in their lungs?  Will he >have to use the inhalers the rest of his life?  Is there anything that can >thin the mucous so it is easier to get up?  Any answers from fellow >sufferers will be much appreciated.

Cant talk to most of this post, but one thing I will say…make sure your husband drinks LOTS of fluid if the mucous is thick.  8-10 big glasses of water a day, at least.  Sounds to me like you husband has cough-variant asthma, which I am sure others here know more about.  I have severe asthma myself, and sometimes my lungs do have a problem with thick mucous.  Drinking lots of water helps, and sometimes drinking hot clear liquids like peppermint tea also helps thin it out so I can cough it up. Jennifer Jennifer Landry

Response:

Thick mucus is a major problem in asthma. Among the things that thin mucus are huge amounts of liquids, esp hot tea and chicken soup. One reason the mucus is so thick is that the cilia which move the liquid have slowed down so the liquid stays there and thickens. Steam inhallation with the tongue out helps. Other suggestions at http://www.ent-consult.com Yellow or thick mucus from the sinus is undesireable. At the web site of the Denver Hospital for Asthma and at the web site of Dr Davidson they recommend pulsatile irrigation with the water pik and the nasal attachment. This helps remove pus and thins the secretions. Hope this helps. Best wishes, Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com   tell a friend > My husband was diagnosed with asthma caused by long term sinus infections a > couple of years ago.  (He never got a headache so didn’t even realize his > sinuses were infected.)  Since then, he has had two sinus surgeries and > things are much better in that area.  He does not have "attacks" where he > cannot breathe, but he does cough a lot and brings up thick, sticky > phlegm–sometimes it is almost hard.  He uses Seravent and Flovent a.m. and > p.m.  Do asthmatics always have that thick mucous in their lungs?  Will he > have to use the inhalers the rest of his life?  Is there anything that can > thin the mucous so it is easier to get up?  Any answers from fellow > sufferers will be much appreciated. > MRyan

Response:

> My husband was diagnosed with asthma caused by long term sinus infections a > couple of years ago.  (He never got a headache so didn’t even realize his > sinuses were infected.)  Since then, he has had two sinus surgeries and > things are much better in that area.  He does not have "attacks" where he > cannot breathe, but he does cough a lot and brings up thick, sticky > phlegm–sometimes it is almost hard.  He uses Seravent and Flovent a.m. and > p.m.  Do asthmatics always have that thick mucous in their lungs?  Will he > have to use the inhalers the rest of his life?  Is there anything that can > thin the mucous so it is easier to get up?  Any answers from fellow > sufferers will be much appreciated. > MRyan

Sinusitis can cause asthma from postnasal drip getting into lungs. Sounds like this is still happening. Sinusitis sufferers often need to use saline washes of nasal passages on a daily basis for hygenic reasons. If he is using decongestants or antihistamines, these can thicken the mucus; a better way to go for nasal congestion is the steroid nasal sprays like Rhinocort, Flonase, Vancenase. He should stay well hydrated by drinking lots of water. Here are some links: http://www.njc.org/MFhtml/NSW_MF.html Nasal Wash Treatment