Asthma sufferers number up to 300 million worldwide, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, or AAAAI. Exercise-induced asthma, also called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, or EIB, can occur in asthma sufferers or may occur in those who do not have asthma. Allergies can also cause breathing problems during exercise, according to the AAAAI. If you have EIB, you would experience the problem within five to 20 minutes after exercise. Symptoms include wheezing, cough and shortness of breath.
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Cause
Asthma caused by exercise is triggered by breathing through your mouth during exercise. The cold and dry air that you inhale during exercise causes the symptoms in those who are sensitive. Air breathed through the nose, as opposed to the mouth, is warm and humidified. People have different levels of sensitivity to cold, dry air, causing some to have severe symptoms and others mild, according to Kids Health. The AAAAI adds that pollution, pollen and respiratory infections can also cause symptoms.
Risks
Exercise-induced asthma can lead to permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes as well as trips to the emergency room, according to the Mayo Clinic. The symptoms can last for hours after exercise in some people. This type of asthma causes poor athletic performance and curtails enjoyment of exercise.
Treatment
Treatment strategy sometimes involves using medication taken every day to prevent symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe inhaled corticosteroids like fluticasone, which are safe for long-term use. For prevention, leukotriene modifiers such as Singulair and Zyflo are also used. Theophylline is a pill that is sometimes used, but it has been replaced by newer medicines. Long-acting beta agonists alone, or with a corticosteroid, are inhalers you use just before exercise. Medications taken after symptoms start, such as Atrovent, relax the airways, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Low-Risk Activities
Sports less likely to cause exercise-induced asthma include, walking, hiking, baseball and gymnastics. Endurance sports can be more problematic -- distance running, for example. Cold-weather sports such as cross-country skiing are especially difficult for those with exercise-induced asthma, warns Kids Health. The AAAAI agrees and also suggests swimming as a good exercise due to the warm, moist air inhaled during the activity. Careful warm-up and cool down before activity is also helpful in prevention.
Considerations
If you suffer from EIB, you should consult an allergist, particularly if your symptoms do not respond well to treatment. This is a doctor with specialized training who can figure out the cause and make a detailed treatment plan, advises the AAAAI.
If you have a quick-relief inhaler and need to use it more frequently than recommended, see your doctor. This signals that your treatment plan needs to be adjusted, according to the Mayo Clinic.
