Asthma Support Group

Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.

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asthma and singing

deleted_user
deleted_user
I love to sing and perform and i've recently been diagnosed with asthma and since starting treatments i am having a really difficult time singing. In the middle of the song i start coughing or if i even make it through the song i start coughing directly after. I don't know if this is the asthma itself that causes this or if it is treating it. I was supposed to do a show in June and I had to back out of it. This is not helping my depression any. When the one thing I really love to do I don't feel like I physically can anymore. Does anyone have any ideas that could help. I would very much appreciate it.
Marah
Marah
I have the same issue. I don't sing professionally, but do solos in church from time to time. And I have experienced getting up to sing, opening my mouth and nothing coming out due to phlem. A couple of things that have helped me. Suck on a lemon about 20 minutes before you sing. That kind of breaks things up. Drink lots of water, stay away from caffeine. Caffeine dehydrates. Don't know if you have an inhailer, but I use mine a few minutes before I will sing, even if I don't feel like I need it. Do deep breathing exercises daily. And lastly, I don't know if you have ever been diagnosed with GERD, but in my case it seems to be related to the asthma. After inhailed steroids seemed to make my asthma worse, my doctor recommended me to see an ENT and he found that acid was baking up into my esophogus and throat and possibly even to my windpipe. I started on Nexium which really helped also.

I know this is a lot, I hope something helps. Because I do understand not being able to do the one thing that brings you joy.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I too have started sing in a choir and I find it difficult.Not so much the asthma side -although breathing and singing exercises do show up my limitations. I agree with the drinking water business. I would do some breasthing exercises before you go to rehearsals and take it easy.
Good luck
deleted_user
deleted_user
Ditto with me, only worse! I started taking daily antihistamines and my voice actually improved, then I had surgery, and had to go off my RA meds. I got a nodule on my throat and it has been almost a year of singing like a frog. I am the worship director and song leader in my church, and I have just missed singing. I was a professional musician for many years, and also taught music.

So I thought it was just about the RA. This weekend, I was 4000 miles from home, and I could sing again. The minute I arrived home I felt my voice weakening and croaking, lots of coughing. So now I think I am probably allergic to this place - I mean the area - the pollens. Time to move. I also play flute, and cycle, and that keeps my lungs in good shape. Not today.

One thing that seems to help is licorice tea. Aveda makes a good but expensive brand. Yogi tea, their Egyptian licorice is the best. It has helped me a lot. I also stopped the steroids, because I got thrush on my vocal folds, with confirmation by an ENT scope. Never ends, does it?

For me, the thing that has helped my depression most is my relationship with Jesus Christ. The last few years have been amazing - exciting, despite suffering and pain. If you have a Bible, look up Romans 5:3-5. That has given me hope.