Some 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma, according to the World Health Organization, and vigorous exercise can make symptoms worse for many asthmatics. But that doesn't mean you have to avoid exercise if you have asthma, especially if you take proper precautions.
Identification
Asthma occurs when your lungs become inflamed and tighten, producing extra mucus that can become trapped and clog the airways. Your doctor will determine if you have asthma by using a spirometry test that measures how well you breathe, an exercise challenge to see how exertion affects your lungs, or a peak flow meter to see how fast you can force out of your lungs. If you have exercise-induced asthma, your symptoms may start a few minutes after commencing cycling or may not begin until you stop cycling, and include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain or fatigue.
Causes
The direct cause of exercise-induced asthma and why only certain people are affected is unknown. There are certain factors that can make the problem worse, including air that is cold, dry or polluted, high pollen counts, a respiratory infection, inhaling chemicals like herbicides or being out of shape.
Significance
Asthma of any type, whether it's affected or induced by exercise or not, can lead to a range of complications including poor athletic performance, as well as permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes that makes breathing difficult and could lead to emphysema or chronic obstructive respiratory disorder. Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening and might land you in an emergency room.
Studies
In a study published in 1998 in the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology," researchers studying athletes at the 1996 Olympic Games found that U.S. athletes participating in cycling and mountain biking had the highest rate of asthma. A later study published in the June 2006 issue of the "Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness" tested the pulmonary function of a professional cycling team and found that 72 percent of the subjects had upper airway or bronchial symptoms.
Prevention
Although there's no way you can avoid getting exercise-induced asthma if you are susceptible, there are things you can do to minimize the effects. You could avoid exercising if you have a cold or respiratory infection, or during periods of high pollen counts if you also suffer from allergies. Warm up at least 15 minutes before attempting a strenuous bike ride and try to schedule your rides at times and places where it's more humid, such as a lake-side trail. Learning to breathe through your nose to warm the air before it enters your lungs cans also be helpful.
Solution
You may to take a few puffs from an asthma inhaler immediately prior to exercising that can help control symptoms for a few hours. If that isn't enough, you may require long-term inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers like Singulair, a daily dose of the bronchodiator pill theophylline, long-acting beta agonists or combination inhalers.
Warning
You should see your doctor if you have worse symptoms than usual, including shortness of breath that continues after your workout, excessive wheezing or no improvement even after using quick-acting inhalers. This could signal a serious asthma attack or even a separate medical condition such as a heart problem.
