AboutKevin Smith Expertise I can answer questions on general living with severe asthma including home modifications, diet, general medications, symptoms, psychology, indications, and social interactions. While there are expert present who are involved with the care of asthmatics from a professional point-of-view ( respiratory techs, for instance ) I would prefer to answer questions from asthmatics, their families and friends who wish to hear from someone with the disease in a severe form in order to gain 'general' advice.
Experience Severe asthmatic for 30 years. I have been ventilated six times for asthma, and have been active in areas of research and counseling of asthmatic, COPD, and CF patients. I am also both a registered pharmacy tech who specialized in respiratory medications, and a professional counselor with a BA-psych degree who has seen many respiratory clients professionally.
Education/Credentials I do not have any educational credentials related directly to asthma. However, I have my degree in psychology which I have used in conjunction with my disease to counsel other sufferers.
Question Hi Kevin
My husband has asthma and has had it since he was a child. The problem is: my husband breaths extremely loud. I can hear him in the other room! I have to wear earplugs at night, because of his breathing and I can even hear him with the earplugs in. I am almost at my wits end with his breathing. I have talked to him about this and he just blames it on his asthma. Is there anything that I can do? He refuses to go to the doctor. He also breaths through his mouth a lot and refuses to breath through his nose. He says that he cant! Thanks for listening and hopefully you can offer some good suggestions. Thanks again!
Answer Hi there Vanessa,
Reading this, it seems the main issue is that he won't go to the dr. Do you know why he refuses to do so?
There are a few things that could be happening here. Off the top of my head, loud breathing can be caused by asthma, but you would think he would be in considerable discomfort if that was purely the case. Allergies and ashtma often go hand-in-hand, and there is a possibility he is suffering from allergic reactions. Do you notice, or does he comment on being better or worse a certain time or in certain places? If this happened to be the case, then medication, avoidance of allergy triggers, etc, might help you two out.
The other thing that often goes hand-in-hand with asthma would be sleep apnea. Does he seem to wake up during the night, or does his breathing seem to suddenly 'stop' then he snorts or takes a deep breath in? If here were diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are treatments to help both of you get a good nights rest.
Either way, he really should go into the dr. and get a good check-up. Many people don't like to visit the dr. due to fear, so, if that happens to be case this time, talking to him and letting him express concerns and such might help to convince him to go.
After all that, the only thing that might help with the noise would like be a position change in bed ( i.e. on his side ) or there is a device that fits over the nose like a swimmers pinch, but it pulls the nostrils open during the night, and, theoretically, makes the person sleep better and more quietly. You can see an example of them here:
