Family history of lung problems - advice requested

[Alan]

DW has asked me to post a question to you wonderful folks on what you think her best approach should be to avoiding lung problems as time marches on.

She is 54, has never smoked, has a BMI of 21.4 and does plenty of exercise. She has never had lung problems (no episodes of bronchitis or anything), however, her mother and one of her aunts has COPD, her mother's mother died of COPD and her younger brother has just been diagnosed with asthma. (none of the above ever smoked either).

She rides a bike, walks/runs on a treadmill and plays tennis. I think she does great but she is wondering which types of exercising are better for improving lung capacity - steady running/biking, or bursts of running to get you out of breath and then ease off to get your breath back.

A technique I use is to try and maintain deep breathing at all times, particularly as you move faster/run out of breath as the tendency is to take fast shallow breaths. (Certainly during the period after that burst of activity that has got you out of breath).

Is there anything else you guys recommend, and is exercise the best/only way to keep lungs healthy?

[Moemg]

Here is a good article
Exercises that improve lung capacity - by C. M. Erickson - Helium

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Have her ask her doctor about testing the blood for for alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Anyone in the family with unexplained cirrhosis, by any chance?

Exercise is great but won't help her lungs in this context.

This will get you started.

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg Here is a good article Exercises that improve lung capacity - by C. M. Erickson - Helium

Excellent article - thank you. The swimming exercises sound REALLY tough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa Have her ask her doctor about testing the blood for for alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Anyone in the family with unexplained cirrhosis, by any chance? Exercise is great but won't help her lungs in this context. This will get you started.

Thanks Rich, very interesting indeed. No history of cirrhosis except a grandmother on her father's side but she was an alcoholic.

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg Here is a good article Exercises that improve lung capacity - by C. M. Erickson - Helium

Just been talking with DW who has been experimenting with interval training on the treadmill and stationery bike and the article clearly states that interval training is better for improving lung capacity, to get the lungs burning, and then rest them for 48 hrs after the exercise.

Thanks again

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Is there anything else you guys recommend, and is exercise the best/only way to keep lungs healthy?

I have asthma and no one in my family has it but me . I got it after a really bad flu . The one thing I have learned since my diagnosis is take it easy . If I get a cold or flu I really need to baby myself . The other thing I have learned is avoid triggers (Smoke).

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa Have her ask her doctor about testing the blood for for alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Anyone in the family with unexplained cirrhosis, by any chance? Exercise is great but won't help her lungs in this context. This will get you started.

My thoughts exactly! Family history of COPD in nonsmokers is a big red flag for alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Did the affected relatives work in an environment with lots of secondhand smoke? Were they farmers exposed to a zoonosis, eg. psittacosis, farmers' lung?

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh My thoughts exactly! Family history of COPD in nonsmokers is a big red flag for alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Did the affected relatives work in an environment with lots of secondhand smoke? Were they farmers exposed to a zoonosis, eg. psittacosis, farmers' lung?

I'm sure both DW's mother and aunt were exposed to plenty of second hand smoke in their workplaces. Her brother with recently diagnosed asthma has certainly not been exposed to 2nd hand smoke. (He is in his mid 40's). I think it is going to be worth discussing this with her Doc next visit.

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg I have asthma and no one in my family has it but me . I got it after a really bad flu . The one thing I have learned since my diagnosis is take it easy . If I get a cold or flu I really need to baby myself . The other thing I have learned is avoid triggers (Smoke).

My sister's daughter developed asthma and this was the final motivation for my sister to quit smoking which she did about 6 years ago and her daughter's condition cleared up shortly afterwards.