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Your symptoms and history given indicate you may be having severe asthma, with excessive or abnormal mucus production.
Mucus that is abnormally thick and sticky may overwhelm the mucociliary apparatus, inhibiting normal airway clearance. The decrease in lung function, is due to blocked bronchioles, due to the excess mucus âproduction. The decrease in airflow reduces the oxygenation and this increases your fatigue, and âother symptoms. â
Peak flow meters should be used regularly to check how well the asthma is being controlled. During an asthma attack, it can help determine how well the short-term, quick-relief asthma medication you are on, is working.
The Lung function should be measured - Every morning, before taking asthma medications ; During asthma symptoms or an asthma attack ; After taking medication for an asthma attack and other times as recommended by your doctor. Everytime you see your doctor the peak flow readings, severity of your symptoms and efficasy of medications, should be informed. This helps in optimizing your treatment as needed.
Most FDA approved oximeters are useful to self check the oxygen saturation, and in case of severe attacks, with very low saturations, timely request for medical help, would be extremely helpful to save lives. In case, the saturations are low, during sleep, then sleep studies can be ordered to check for sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea.
The best way, you can be helped is with intensive physiotherapy, where you will be taught a range of breathing exercises also called Active cycle of breathing techniques ââ(ACBT). ACBT involve you repeating a cycle made up of a number of different steps. These âinclude a period of normal breathing, followed by deep breaths to loosen the mucus and force it âup; then you cough the mucus out. â
You might continue to work with your pulmonologist as well as a physiotherapist who can provide additional information and help to get you better.