What Are Your Non-Pharmacological Ways to Help to Manage Asthma?

I use a gentle cannula that delivers extra oxygen from a concentrator machine. My breathing slows at night we discovered from doing a sleep studies. I am more alert and rested and use it at night for sleep. Now I have a sleep specialist who is a pulmonologist; I feel blessed to had run into this doctor. I would have morning headaches aften before use. I use the level 2 and was told not to use more than required. It takes a prescription.

I started using Cambridge Mask pro whenever I’m going out and find it is a huge help. I think there is silver impregnating the mask and a carbon filter to breathe through. It looks similar to a regular N95 cloth mask and it’s reusable. Has anyone else used them or found any other great masks?

Hi @drsharon - I've not used a mask outside the house at all. However, I've noticed that when I work in the garden for a few hours I feel like I'm still coughing up dirt and dust for a couple of days afterward. It's like my lungs are really bothered by the dirt and dust somehow. According to my testing, I'm only actually allergic to house dust and cats.

Have you worn a mask doing outdoor work? If so, how does it work for you during activity and in heat?

@lisalucier Hi, the dirt and dust are likely just physical irritant that is bothering your lungs that are already inflamed from chemical irritants. I find the same thing when I work in the garden. I don’t use the Cambridge mask for this as any mask that filters out particles would work and be less hot and limiting.

@drsharon Oh how I wish they had a mask with a head strap! Ear loops totally do not work for me, and no modification we have tried changes that.

@lisalucier Our friends and neighbors who are landscapers all wear facial protection, but seldom an actual mask. Most common are neck gaiters (Home Depot actually sells them) and good old-fashioned red bandannas just like the cowboys in the Old West. I have used a bandanna myself to avoid that dirt-in-the lungs feeling when no mask is on hand. Not perfect, but easy to breathe through.

Like jeans, bandannas are a part of our American heritage! I have a drawer full of them - when I go out in the garage or garden, I often have one over my hair, one around my neck and one in my pocket to wipe off sweat. They also make great travel washcloths. And all arewashable/reuseable just about forever. I recently tossed the last few raggedy ones that had belonged to my father-in-law, and he has been gone for over 30 years.

PS If you need n95 protection, bandanna are NOT the answer. But for daily use they keep the big stuff out. That reminds me - I will have a teenage brigade here to spread mulch in a couple weeks - I'll get some cool-looking ones fot them!

@sueinmn - I ordered a neck gaiter, which I never knew existed in forms other than for skiing. I also will look for a bandana among my scarves - not sure if I still have it or not.

@drsharon - you mentioned that the dirt and dust are likely just physical irritant that is bothering my lungs that are already inflamed from chemical irritants. Were you thinking of chemical irritants from inside the house or from gardening chemicals around my neighborhood?

@sueinmn Hi Sue, my Cambridge pro mask came with a head strap that attaches to the ear loop and helps a lot. I buy it through England

@lisalucier I think it could be both. Pools, laundry exhaust etc. but just plain dust is really annoying to irritated lungs. I don’t like dust from vacuums and if I’m in a really sensitive state, flour from baking is annoying. It’s not allergies or chemicals, just physical dust. Not fun

@sueinmn Hi Sue, The ones I use attach to the ear loops and are adjustable. Maybe something elastic or velcro that you could tighten would help and make sure the head strap is placed high enough on your head. the mask itself has areas that can be tightened as well. It just takes a little fidgeting. Masks like need to be fitted for different face shapes.