While exercise can increase muscle strength and improve heart health, for some people, physical activity comes with a hefty price tag in the form of breathing difficulties. Exercise-induced breathing problems often occur in individuals with asthma, but could also develop in otherwise healthy people. Learning the facts about exercise-induced breathing problems can help you identify common signs, avoid common triggers and know when to seek help in managing your breathing difficulties.
Types
Characterized by chronic inflammation of the breathing passages that worsens during or after exercise in asthmatic individuals, exercise-induced asthma affects people of all ages and all physical abilities. According to MedlinePlus, exercise-induced asthma can be triggered by cold or dry air, as well as sports that require heavy, regular physical exertion, such as basketball, soccer or ice hockey. Other types of exercise-induced breathing problems include exercise-induced bronchospasm and exercise-induced dyspnea, or shortness of breath.
Symptoms
You might have an exercise-induced breathing problem if you have to slow down to catch your breath or experience other respiratory problems only when you exercise. Common symptoms of this type of health condition include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness or pressure in your chest. These symptoms generally develop during or immediately after heavy physical activity, especially in cold weather.
Considerations
Exercise-induced asthma and exercised-induced bronchospasm are two distinct conditions which produce similar symptoms. According to Dr. Matthew Mintz, associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University Medical Center, and author of the 2006 book "Disorders of the Respiratory Tract," exercise-induced asthma occurs when exercise worsens the breathing difficulties of an individual with ongoing asthma symptoms. Mintz labels exercise-induced bronchospasm as a temporary "bronchospastic disorder" that occurs during or after strenuous physical activity, and can develop in an individual with otherwise normal lung function.
Treatment
If you notice ongoing symptoms of exercise-related breathing problems, arrange a prompt visit with your primary care physician and discuss your concerns. After examining your medical history and completing a physical examination, your doctor will typically conduct special breathing tests using a tool called a peak flow meter, or a spirometer, to assess your breathing capacity. Depending on the cause of your breathing issues, medications that may help improve exercise-induced breathing problems include bronchodilators such as albuterol, and anti-leukotrienes like montelukast.
Significance
Exercise-induced breathing problems do not mean the end of your ability to exercise on a regular basis. You can typically still exercise -- just do so with caution. Make it a habit to take extra warm-up and cool-down time when exercising. Avoid high-activity sports and exercises, such as soccer and running, and try to breathe through your nose or through a scarf if you opt to exercise during dry or cold weather, recommends MedlinePlus. If your doctor does prescribe medication, take it as directed to help prevent potential breathing symptoms; in most cases, you'll need to take it shortly before exercising for best results.
References
- MedlinePlus: Exercise-induced Asthma
- "Disorders of the Respiratory Tract"; Dr. Matthew Mintz; 2006
