Year Four, Day 97: The Cough Log

Yesterday was a good day.

Tuesday night is choir practice. Being surrounded by music always soothes my soul.  I was so pleased that I made all my bus connections going home!

I even had time to stop at the supermarket. I decided to get a good cough syrup to help me quiet my cough at night to help me sleep.

I've been doing quite a bit of research on coughing, asthma, GERD and the like.  I think I have been under the mistaken impression that coughing, especially "productive" coughing is a good thing. In other words, get that phlegm outta there! (Sorry if that is TMI)

But some experts say that excessive coughing irritates the throat and lungs which causes more phlegm to be produced.

(That word "phlegm" is disturbing. It actually sounds like the substance it is describing!)

I have been practicing breathing exercises. In particular "Buteyko" exercises.

The "Buteyko Breathing Technique is a form of complementary or alternative physical therapy that proposes the use of breathing exercises primarily as a treatment for asthma and other respiratory conditions.^[1] The method takes its name from Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko, who first formulated its principles during the 1950s. This method is based on the assumption that numerous medical conditions, including asthma, are caused by chronically increased respiratory rate or deeper breathing (hyperventilation)." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buteyko_method)

I have much more reading and practicing to do, but it makes sense to me.  I do not intend on relying on cough syrup, but Tuesday night I slept like a log! I won't say I slept like a baby, because my granddaughter still wakes up several times a night, much to her mom and dad's dismay.

I felt well rested with clear lungs yesterday. My hooping session was easier, with no wheezing afterwards. I even went to the gym for a short treadmill workout and steam room session.

Today, however I am tired and wheezy with a tickle in my throat.  In addition to breathing exercises, I again need to look at diet.  It is common knowledge that dairy products produce mucous, so I am going to rid myself of cheese for the time being. Sigh. I so love my cheese.

I also need to yet again remind myself to consume more fluids. Especially of the H2O variety.

DRINK MORE WATER!!! 

There! Large font, bold, capital letters.  That should make an impact!

So, here is the plan:

1. 8 glasses of water a day.
2. Breathing exercises.
3. No dairy.
4. Resist urge to cough or clear throat. (Of course the moment I typed "cough" I had a bit of a coughing fit. Here in the library.  I'm o.k. now)
5. Keep exercising, just keep it moderate.
6. I am keeping a "Cough Log". I keep track of coughing fits and what I am attempting to do to control them. I do have a follow-up with my pulmonary nurse practitioner at the end of the month.   I will show her my cough log. I imagine her being most impressed! 

But now, my cough ("Charlie") and I need to head out to teach a lesson. I am hoping Charlie will behave himself the rest of the day.  Perhaps I should put him in a time out? ;)

Talk to you tomorrow!
 
Love,

Zita (and Charlie!)

P.S. Here are today and yesterday's hooping videos.  Today's video does make me look rather sickly...