Exercise is necessary to keep your body in good shape, build muscle and maintain a strong and healthy immune system. People diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma, also called exercise-induced bronchospasm, experience an obstruction in airflow within 5 to 15 minutes of starting to exercise, says Dr. Taru Sinha and Dr. Alan David of the Medical College of Wisconsin. Exercise-induced asthma can be treated, and with the proper care, you should be able to exercise and participate in sports and activities without experiencing symptoms.
History
Exercise-induced asthma, or EIA, results from the loss of heat, water or both from the lungs during exercise, says Dr. Sinha and Dr. David. They say between 80 and 90 percent of people diagnosed with asthma also have exercise-induced asthma. EIA results from breathing more rapidly while exercising, usually through the mouth, notes the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The air coming in through the mouth is cooler and drier than air flowing through the nostrils, so the decrease in warmth and humidity results in the bronchospasms.
Significance
EIA is diagnosed based on a history showing shortness of breath, tightness of the chest and coughing or wheezing during or following exercise. Dr. Sinha and Dr. David say some patients also show symptoms of an upset stomach or sore throat. If these symptoms show up in the first five minutes of exercise, the doctors say they usually are not indicative of EIA, but rather some other problem within the lungs. Since running is considered an endurance sport, it puts a considerable amount of pressure on the lungs to function, often triggering an EIA attack.
Effects
Aerobic sports are more apt to trigger an EIA attack than anaerobic sports. People with EIA should participate in sports that require short bursts of exercise rather than longer periods of endurance exercise. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends sports such as walking, volleyball, gymnastics and baseball as the best options for people with EIA. Sports that are considered more aerobic, such as running, soccer or basketball should be avoided because they are more likely to cause symptoms. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation says sports that take place in cold air, such as ice hockey or ice skating, should be avoided as well.
Prevention/Solution
You should pursue nonendurance sports if you are diagnosed with EIA and also be sure to carry a blue rescue inhaler with you when you play sports or work out. If you choose to run, try to run sprints rather than long distances. Talk to your doctor about your current asthma medication. Your doctor may suggest using a bronchodilator fifteen minutes before you exercise to help avoid bronchospasms. The Lung Association of Canada suggests warming up slowly before exercising by walking and stretching. You should also spend at least 10 minutes at the end of your workout cooling down, as an abrupt adjustment could cause your EIA to flair up.
Considerations
If you enjoy running outdoors, pay attention to the air quality and temperature. If the air quality is poor, or it is hot and humid outside, you may want to move your run to an indoor track or treadmill. Running outside during the winter months should be avoided since the cold air can trigger EIA. If you must run outdoors, cover your nose and mouth with a scarf to help warm the air as it enters your mouth. If you have a grass allergy, the Lung Association of Canada suggests running on turf, pavement or dirt trails since running on grass can cause your allergies to flare up, making you more susceptible to an EIA attack.
