when you've had bronchitis...

...is your breathing compromised forever?

i've had it twice in the past 6-7 years, one really awful bout earlier this year, and i've noticed more & more lately that it's harder for me to breathe in cold weather--my breath feels short. and don't even get me started on smoky places...

am old. am falling apart. 

Funny you say this, I've had recurrent bronchitis, which comes partially because I don't think that I've every cleared it out entirely. That said, it shouldn't be a kind of permanent damage since the lungs are remarkably regenerative, unlike other organs. They're also a muscle, which means they can be trained. Here's a "trainer" called Powerbreathe that will help build up bronchial stamina. One ofthe cheaper places to get it is:

http://www.bodykind.com/productindex/CatIDx75/productindex.htm

I've got it, but sloth means I don't use it regularly, but maybe you've better self-control!

also, I've noticed that the larger Tesco's extras also stock it if you don't want to get it online, and Selfridge's was the first place that I saw it, but then you're paying the Selfridge's premium.

thanks for that info! i'll have to check that out.

You may actually want to have yourself checked for asthma by your GP.  You can develop it any any age and that sounds, at least to me, like symptoms of it. Easily treatable in this day and age.

I've had asthma since I was 6 months old (38 years ago, mind you) with varying degrees. Probably about 15 years ago I had a bad case of bronchitis. Ever since, every small cold I get turns into full bronchitis without fail...probably because of the asthma. Nearly 10 years ago I also got laryngitis with the bronchitis. Now that's thrown in for good measure with each cold too.  I *am* falling apart in my old age!

Would be worth checking out though, just to rule it out. Cold air is easily one of the most dominant triggers for my asthma.

Best of luck!