Bronchitis after cycling on dry dusty days.

[Globalti]

I would write that I agree with all of that, but I had already written it myself further up.

Fiona's and Norm's posts are moving this discussion in an interesting direction. The symptoms of lung inflammation are similar to a chest infection except that, in my experience, a chest infection comes with the full fever and ropey feeling.

I've had this bronchitis twice in the last 5 weeks, the first time was in South Africa after a ride in very dry dusty conditions with lots of traffic fumes from badly maintained cars and minibuses. It was more acute and within 24 hours I had rattling phlegm in my chest and a ropey feeling. I got some Amoxy, which cleared it up. The latest episode started with Dell's FNRttC recce ride ten days ago, when there was high pressure, no wind and the air on the Manchester plain was terribly polluted. Riding up through Bury and Blackburn we got a lot of exhaust smoke from buses and trucks.

Since you both seem to understand the problem, can you tell me how you've treated it? Is it with an inhaler? Used only when the symptoms appear or full time? (I wouldn't fancy that.)

 

[Norm]

I wouldn't say that what works for me will work for anyone else (I'm an accountant, not a doctor, and I'm not even very good with numbers ) but I find using a Buff (a proper one, the material is better) over my mouth is enough to keep my lungs clear. I do that on the motorbike as well as cycling.

You can get pollution masks which will work better as that's what they are designed to do. But, they look, well, they look strange IMO and they are more cumbersome than a thin Buff which you can quickly pull down to speak with people, to walk into shops or when you clear the polluted areas.

 

[Globalti]

Yes, I'd though of trying that. I don't do much riding in built-up areas, mostly I'm way out in the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland so breathing unpolluted air straight from the sea. Will try a buff next time I venture into the smoke.

 

[suecsi]

Anyone worked out how to wear a Buff at the same time as glasses/sunglasses and not get fogged up?

I have to wear prescription glasses - and one of my routes alongside a small river is fly central at the moment. I try to use the Buff just over my mouth, but then my glasses steam up! I can't really manage not to breathe through the mouth - and if I do try, flies just get sucked up my nose instead ......

 

[Fiona N]

The doctor in Italy diagnosed a chronic inflammation that was treated firstly with a steroid inhaler every day for 2 weeks (I think, it's all a bit hazy now) then I had tests, another 2 week course, more tests and a final course which I think was longer. During the treatment I avoided riding the Windcheetah partly as the lying down position seemed to make it feel harder to breathe and partly the low position makes it closer to exhaust fumes. I also avoided riding in towns or anywhere I might come across a collection of cars polluting the atmosphere (I spent a lot of time up in the hills). I rode days after rain rather than days before rain, so to speak, to avoid dust as although not the problem, it did make me feel worse.

The whole thing took about 6 or 7 months and at the end of it I was good again - no more aching chest after cycling (this did use to coincide with feeling very tired and under the weather), feeling like I could use all my lungs again. It's worth noting that I'd previously been diagnosed, in the UK, with asthma so had an inhaler (as needed use) for that. But after the Italian treatment, no symptoms at all even in really cold weather. So I think the GP misdiagnosed.

So you can see why I'm happy with a few hours of coughing after a ride

 

[Norm]

I try to use the Buff just over my mouth, but then my glasses steam up! I can't really manage not to breathe through the mouth - and if I do try, flies just get sucked up my nose instead ......

I always wear glasses, for safety, and the only time I've ever fogged was when it was -3 and I stopped after a climb.

Breathing through the mouth is the way that I do it, but blowing hard like you're whistling, without actually whistling, of course, as that just earns you funny looks. That way, the breath goes through the fabric rather than rising up to steam the glasses.

 

[Globalti]

The doctor in Italy diagnosed a chronic inflammation that was treated firstly with a steroid inhaler every day for 2 weeks (I think, it's all a bit hazy now) then I had tests, another 2 week course, more tests and a final course which I think was longer. During the treatment I avoided riding the Windcheetah partly as the lying down position seemed to make it feel harder to breathe and partly the low position makes it closer to exhaust fumes. I also avoided riding in towns or anywhere I might come across a collection of cars polluting the atmosphere (I spent a lot of time up in the hills). I rode days after rain rather than days before rain, so to speak, to avoid dust as although not the problem, it did make me feel worse.

The whole thing took about 6 or 7 months and at the end of it I was good again - no more aching chest after cycling (this did use to coincide with feeling very tired and under the weather), feeling like I could use all my lungs again. It's worth noting that I'd previously been diagnosed, in the UK, with asthma so had an inhaler (as needed use) for that. But after the Italian treatment, no symptoms at all even in really cold weather. So I think the GP misdiagnosed.

So you can see why I'm happy with a few hours of coughing after a ride

An informative post, thanks.

 

[buddha]

I've had a bout of flu this weekend. And lot's of chesty phlegm.
Yesterday a friend who knows about these things gave me a back massage (more like a load of thumps on the back) - while I was lying down, on my front, with a pillow under my abdomen. Loads of mucus was coughed up!

Apparently this is done/common for cystic fibrosis sufferers.