| The perks of being a musician |
[01 Aug 2007|01:05am] |
So I've ALWAYS throughout my life, had problems with breathing and my lungs during allergy season. Right now is definitely no exception. And back in May, when all the tree pollen came out, I was extremely asthmatic.
You know the peak flow meter thing? Where you blow really hard, really fast, into that tube thing to measure lung efficiency? I've been having to use it every day because I've been all wheezy and such, again. I have to take down the highest out of three "puffs" every day. I did it at the doctors office, but I was nervous/embarrassed and didn't actually breathe hard, and got 400.
So I was looking on the internet to see what I should be getting, at my age and height. I should be getting between a 370 and a 410 or something. I'm averaging between 550 and 600, and it's not exactly prime breathing time around here.
I'm assuming my peak flow meter, which is kind of old, is a piece of crap, because with my allergies I'm allegedly breathing like a 6 ft tall man.
Then I was like "But, does playing a wind instrument help? Even if it's just a clarinet?" And I found some comments from people who always get higher than average peak flow readings from playing instrument, even the clarinet.
I still really do think my peak flow meter needs to be replaced. But still, it's nice to think that my pitiful lungs are not all that pitiful.
Yay wind players!
Edit: Okay. Today, without having going outside yet at all, I've been blowing 650-700. Something is wrong. Haha.
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