Firstly, I’m a pilot, not a doctor.
Just to get something out of the way first. Has your GP given you a specific test for asthma? It does sound as though you have a tendency to react to specific stimuli. True bronchitis and asthmatic symptoms may become blurred and I feel that it is important to separate the problem into component parts. There are tests, but I don’t know if they cover all types of asthma.
If you have a tendency towards chronic bronchitis, then you would be well advised to make an assessment of your peak airflow while you are quite well. Do this every week, or even day…not just at the six monthly medical. Compare this with your peers and see if you are at least average. Use this as a datum. Poor peak flow would be an issue—if you were to attend a check while below par.
Is there an audible wheeze, when you are otherwise quite well? I.e. chronic.
Do you respond to antibiotics, but just don’t want to keep resorting to them?
Bronchitis in aircrew was given very serious consideration in our airline in the 60’s…it was endemic in the industry. But then so was smoking on the flight deck. Nowadays, getting a secondary infection (bacteriological) following a virus is often avoidable. It seems that the pipes are wide open to ‘bugs’ at the latter stages of a viral infection, so taking extreme care after a cold is vital. Simple precautions like keeping your distance from kids, pubs and coughing colleagues for a week or so can make all the difference. Just a few days more fending off the crewing officer!
Probably one of the most important bits of advice that I could give, is to get fresh air deep into your lungs. Forcing out the last dregs. This is in part what coughing is about. Of course, this is easier said than done if you have any tendency for your bronchi to clamp off as a reaction to cold air. But do persevere. If you sound like an old church organ, it doesn’t matter…get fresh air down there.
There is a lot of conflicting data on ‘stress and the immune system’ on the net, but the gist is, immediate and acute stress gives a boost to the immune system, but chronic stress causes a measurable decline in your defenses in the longer term. Concern over your health and license might just be adding fuel…I’m guessing.
Restricted breathing is very distressing, but don’t worry too much, some people that have had severe bronchitis circa 20 years old, have gone on to athletic prowess. These things tend to come in long term bouts, especially in a home with kids, but then disappearing for years. Working for an ‘we’ve got no one to replace you’ airline never helps.
Last edited by Loose rivets; 14th December 2004 at 07:44.