[Dada]

Servus Thomas,

still lung related questions from my side 😉

I was in Chamonix and in the Bernina the last week. On high altitude (alt least for Europeans: Mont Blanc du Tacul (4200m) and Palü (3900m)), when it is colder I get a cough during the climb. It gets worse and worse and it really stresses my ribcage. I don’t see any deterioration in performance though, which is good.

It lasts when I’m back at lower altitude. What helped very good is a hot drink like tea.

Is that the Khumbu cough?

Best regards
Dada

Topic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous on July 15, 2020 at 8:40 am #43612

Yes, it is the Khumbu cough, but that can also be caused by a viral infection.

Your cough is cold/exercise induced asthma. Very common among cross country ski racers so I have been around it a lot in my coaching. Asthma meds will help. A special face mask like the Airtrim mask made in Sweden

Scott

[Dada]

Dada on July 15, 2020 at 2:59 pm #43631

Thanks, Scott!

I noticed that asthma meds (salbutamol, Curticuide steroids, short-acting beta-agonists) do not help significantly.

[Thomas Summer, MD]

Thomas Summer, MD on July 16, 2020 at 12:17 pm #43653

Servus Dada!

It sounds like exercise-induced asthma/bronchoconstriction. Did you ever get tested for that? Do you have diagnosed asthma, because you could test all those asthma meds?
I would recommend taking a short-acting beta-agonist, like salbutamol, before exercise. If it’s cold, try a face mask, like Scott recommends. Also nose breathing can be very helpfull.

Salü Palü!
Thomas

[Dada]

Dada on July 16, 2020 at 12:56 pm #43657

Servus Thomas,

I’ve been diagnosed with allergic asthma but never have been testes for exercise-induced asthma. Maybe I’ll ask my lung doctor for a test. I already take Salbutamol before hard workouts, but it’s not so helpful in high European altitude and colder temperatures. I’ll check out the masks you both mentioned.

Thanks guys!

Dada