UFC veteran Ben Askren awaiting lung transplant, 'having more periods of awareness'
As he continues fighting for his life in a Wisconsin hospital, former MMA champion Ben Askren appears to finally be taking positive steps forward.
UFC veteran Ben Askren awaiting lung transplant, 'having more periods of awareness'
- Thread starter Bigbear
- Start date
Man this is a good example of the false sense of security living in the modern world gives us. Not so many years ago things we don't give any thought as being truly dangerous killed people regularly. This of course but I'm betting shit like a broken leg, infected tooth etc must have taken people out regularly.
Being a survivor of double pneumonia, both lungs were inflamed with a community-acquired infection, and there was a fair amount of fluid buildup in my left lung. I can attest to the dangers it poses. I can't remember the first two days in the hospital, but I was hooked up to three antibiotics. If wifey wasn't there, I don't know what would have happened.
Could you lay out the time line? ie how much time passed between when you first felt off until you first thought it was a concern and then when you realized it was serious, time spent in hospital and back to full snort etc
@gondar1
The first symptoms were in week one. I found that I had to work on controlling my breathing while training on kicks and the dummy, but nothing overly serious or alarming. I just seemed a little off, as if I was overtrained and hadn't fully recovered from the previous workout. It reminded me of training to prep for a tourney or a big demo. I shrugged it off. No cough, and I was breathing comfortably while not exerting myself. I did, however, have difficulties breathing while lying down at night. I slept in my office chair for three or four nights. I can't quite recall when I woke wifey up to tell her I couldn't breathe. Probably the fourth night. I literally could not get a breath of air and was gasping like a fish out of water. Wifey called 911, and the paramedics arrived, with the Fire Dept and the Police. All I recall from the medics was them telling me I had to go, and they helped me onto the gurney and blasted me with oxygen. That is all I recall from the first two nights, except an excellent nurse who had me sitting in a chair with my oxygen so I could get some comfort. My wife said I answered a barrage of questions from a Doctor, but I don't recall doing so. They strung a bag of antibiotics, and my adventure in the hospital began. I was in there for 6 days and nights and was sent home with oxygen, which I did not need, but I worked a lot of Chi Gung.
The first symptoms were in week one. I found that I had to work on controlling my breathing while training on kicks and the dummy, but nothing overly serious or alarming. I just seemed a little off, as if I was overtrained and hadn't fully recovered from the previous workout. It reminded me of training to prep for a tourney or a big demo. I shrugged it off. No cough, and I was breathing comfortably while not exerting myself. I did, however, have difficulties breathing while lying down at night. I slept in my office chair for three or four nights. I can't quite recall when I woke wifey up to tell her I couldn't breathe. Probably the fourth night. I literally could not get a breath of air and was gasping like a fish out of water. Wifey called 911, and the paramedics arrived, with the Fire Dept and the Police. All I recall from the medics was them telling me I had to go, and they helped me onto the gurney and blasted me with oxygen. That is all I recall from the first two nights, except an excellent nurse who had me sitting in a chair with my oxygen so I could get some comfort. My wife said I answered a barrage of questions from a Doctor, but I don't recall doing so. They strung a bag of antibiotics, and my adventure in the hospital began. I was in there for 6 days and nights and was sent home with oxygen, which I did not need, but I worked a lot of Chi Gung.
@gondar1
This is part two, which was about getting back up to snuff at home. I had an emergency canister of oxygen on hand for my use if needed. I did not need it. I planned to get breathing well enough to train, but I could only manage one Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Chi Gung posture at a time. Breathing was not laboured in any way, but I was zapped from my stay at the hospital, where, for some reason, I had dropped fifteen pounds. I was much more concerned about regaining my endurance. I added one posture a day until I was using 10-15 postures, and my breath was returning to normal. That took just over a week to do, and then I added my Wing Chun Forms- one at a time. Eventually, I was doing 30 minutes of breathing exercises, and then I started a full-blown martial arts workout. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't difficult-somewhere in between. I felt like a new student, not realizing how tough some Martial Arts can be.
A respirologist dropped by to check on me, but she wasn't needed. I had a tough time explaining to her that I knew more about breathing exercises than she did. I was a bit irritable, but she was pushy, just like I was in kindergarten. Eventually, she left, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Weight training seemed to start where it left off. Muscle memory, perhaps, or the lack of training, wasn't long enough to affect my workouts.
I have been to the hospital once since, but I only stayed a day—lots of tests and X-rays. From now on, when I hit the hospital for anything, they check for pneumonia, which is a good thing.
One thing I learned from this stay is that I am very appreciative of Tai Chi Chuan and Bagua for teaching me how to breathe.
I probably missed a lot of stuff, especially the first two days.
This is part two, which was about getting back up to snuff at home. I had an emergency canister of oxygen on hand for my use if needed. I did not need it. I planned to get breathing well enough to train, but I could only manage one Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Chi Gung posture at a time. Breathing was not laboured in any way, but I was zapped from my stay at the hospital, where, for some reason, I had dropped fifteen pounds. I was much more concerned about regaining my endurance. I added one posture a day until I was using 10-15 postures, and my breath was returning to normal. That took just over a week to do, and then I added my Wing Chun Forms- one at a time. Eventually, I was doing 30 minutes of breathing exercises, and then I started a full-blown martial arts workout. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't difficult-somewhere in between. I felt like a new student, not realizing how tough some Martial Arts can be.
A respirologist dropped by to check on me, but she wasn't needed. I had a tough time explaining to her that I knew more about breathing exercises than she did. I was a bit irritable, but she was pushy, just like I was in kindergarten. Eventually, she left, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Weight training seemed to start where it left off. Muscle memory, perhaps, or the lack of training, wasn't long enough to affect my workouts.
I have been to the hospital once since, but I only stayed a day—lots of tests and X-rays. From now on, when I hit the hospital for anything, they check for pneumonia, which is a good thing.
One thing I learned from this stay is that I am very appreciative of Tai Chi Chuan and Bagua for teaching me how to breathe.
I probably missed a lot of stuff, especially the first two days.
@Bagua
Thank You. I could have googled but I had the feeling you'd have input about breathing.
I'm getting more paranoid about certain health things as time passes. Maybe that's too harsh of a term but I think I pay more attention and monitor every little thing more closely. That's probably not a bad thing but there seem to be more of those every little things than there used to be.
Re; checking you every time - is that because once you get it you are more likely ?
I've weakly done some breathing practices in the past but it's time to make that a permanent lifestyle thing. Any advice on a starting point? About all I know and do now is box breathing for recovery and anxiety/stress control.
I hope you stay clear either way
Thank You. I could have googled but I had the feeling you'd have input about breathing.
I'm getting more paranoid about certain health things as time passes. Maybe that's too harsh of a term but I think I pay more attention and monitor every little thing more closely. That's probably not a bad thing but there seem to be more of those every little things than there used to be.
Re; checking you every time - is that because once you get it you are more likely ?
I've weakly done some breathing practices in the past but it's time to make that a permanent lifestyle thing. Any advice on a starting point? About all I know and do now is box breathing for recovery and anxiety/stress control.
I hope you stay clear either way
Look up Chi Gung and Ibuki for a start. I can guide you a bit, but I'm currently short on time. Box breathing is excellent, and it was one of the variations I used with my clients.
I'm not sure, to be honest with you. I keep tabs on my Oximeter readings because of what I went through with pneumonia. When my SAT score level drops below 90, I'm ready to call for a fancy taxi. Luckily, I did last week because I was hovering around 85-90, and the oxygen helped. I had an infection on my calf, which the doctor swabbed, and it was diagnosed as cellulitis. Two weeks of antibiotics for that one.
Thinking back, I had pneumonia back in '88 for a week, but it dissipated on its own. I was experiencing pretty much the same symptoms, so perhaps I am susceptible to contracting the bacteria that cause pneumonia.
All I know is when I head to the hospital with trouble breathing, I am wired up to every machine they have in the ER-or so it seems- oxygen to get my 02 up and the proverbial X-ray.
This entire adventure began with post-nasal drip. The simple things can kill us.
I've read high endurance athletes like runners and martial artists are more prone to lung illness.must be from excessive over use or something of that nature.
Try to find what you have read because I am the only one in my cohort who has lung problems. It would be interesting.
Key Findings from Studies
1. Heavy training suppresses the immune system (Open Window Theory)
Study: Gleeson M. (2007), "Immune function in sport and exercise", J Appl Physiol.
Finding: Intense and prolonged exercise can temporarily suppress immune function for 3–72 hours post-exercise—this is called the “open window”.
Result: During this period, athletes are more susceptible to pathogens, especially respiratory viruses.
2. Increased exposure to pathogens
Study: Walsh NP et al. (2011), "Position statement. Part one: Immune function and exercise", Exerc Immunol Rev.
Finding: Athletes often travel, share equipment, and train in groups or crowds, which increases exposure to bacteria and viruses.
3. Airway stress and inflammation
Study: Kennedy MD et al. (2007), "Respiratory health and training status of elite swimmers".
Finding: Swimmers and winter sport athletes breathe large volumes of air, often cold, dry, or chlorinated—this can irritate and inflame airways, making them more vulnerable.
Similar studies: Also seen in cyclists, runners, and skiers.
4. Chronic airway changes in endurance athletes
Study: Rundell KW & Spiering BA (2003), "Inspiratory stridor in elite athletes", Chest.
Finding: Repeated high ventilatory effort can lead to airway remodeling, increasing susceptibility to conditions like exercise-induced bronchoconstriction or asthma-like symptoms.
5. Nutritional and energy deficits
Study: Nieman DC (1994), "Exercise, upper respiratory tract infection, and the immune system", Med Sci Sports Exerc.
Finding: Low energy availability, low carbohydrate intake, or poor micronutrient status (e.g., low zinc or vitamin D) in athletes can impair immunity.
6. Overtraining syndrome (OTS)
Study: Lehmann MJ et al. (1993), "Overtraining in endurance athletes: a brief review", Med Sci Sports Exerc.
Finding: Chronic excessive training without adequate recovery leads to OTS, often accompanied by frequent illness including URTIs and lower respiratory infections.
@Bagua I don't know if quercetin is in your arsenal but it definitly should be.
quercetin’s lung and immune benefits may be more noticeable in endurance athletes than in untrained individuals. Here's why:
---
What the Research Shows:
1. In Athletes:
Studies like those by Davis et al. (2007, 2008) show that quercetin (1000 mg/day for 2–3 weeks) may reduce upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in highly trained endurance athletes, especially after intense exercise (like marathon running or long cycling).
This is likely because:
Intense endurance training temporarily suppresses immune function.
Quercetin’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects help buffer this suppression.
2. In Untrained/General Population:
The same immune-boosting effects aren't consistently seen in sedentary or moderately active individuals.
In studies with healthy non-athletes, quercetin doesn’t always reduce infection rates or improve lung function, possibly because their immune systems aren’t under the same stress as athletes'.
3. Mechanism of Action:
Quercetin reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.
These benefits may only matter when there’s a high baseline level of oxidative stress, such as after intense exertion or chronic lung inflammation (e.g., asthma, COPD).
quercetin’s lung and immune benefits may be more noticeable in endurance athletes than in untrained individuals. Here's why:
---
What the Research Shows:1. In Athletes:
Studies like those by Davis et al. (2007, 2008) show that quercetin (1000 mg/day for 2–3 weeks) may reduce upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in highly trained endurance athletes, especially after intense exercise (like marathon running or long cycling).
This is likely because:
Intense endurance training temporarily suppresses immune function.
Quercetin’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects help buffer this suppression.
2. In Untrained/General Population:
The same immune-boosting effects aren't consistently seen in sedentary or moderately active individuals.
In studies with healthy non-athletes, quercetin doesn’t always reduce infection rates or improve lung function, possibly because their immune systems aren’t under the same stress as athletes'.
3. Mechanism of Action:
Quercetin reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.
These benefits may only matter when there’s a high baseline level of oxidative stress, such as after intense exertion or chronic lung inflammation (e.g., asthma, COPD).
I will discuss it with my dietitian to see if it's a good fit. I am very minimalistic with supplements.@Bagua I don't know if quercetin is in your arsenal but it definitly should be.
quercetin’s lung and immune benefits may be more noticeable in endurance athletes than in untrained individuals. Here's why:
---
1. In Athletes:
Studies like those by Davis et al. (2007, 2008) show that quercetin (1000 mg/day for 2–3 weeks) may reduce upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in highly trained endurance athletes, especially after intense exercise (like marathon running or long cycling).
This is likely because:
Intense endurance training temporarily suppresses immune function.
Quercetin’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects help buffer this suppression.
2. In Untrained/General Population:
The same immune-boosting effects aren't consistently seen in sedentary or moderately active individuals.
In studies with healthy non-athletes, quercetin doesn’t always reduce infection rates or improve lung function, possibly because their immune systems aren’t under the same stress as athletes'.
3. Mechanism of Action:
Quercetin reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.
These benefits may only matter when there’s a high baseline level of oxidative stress, such as after intense exertion or chronic lung inflammation (e.g., asthma, COPD).