If you have asthma, your airways react to allergens and irritants with painful swelling. The swelling causes narrowing of the airways and impedes the flow of air to the lungs. During an asthma attack, you experience chest tightness, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, you can achieve and maintain fitness through regular physical activity and exercise.
Asthma
Many irritants can cause worsening of asthma symptoms or attacks, including air pollution, smoke, infections, dust, dust mites and exercise. Exercise-induced asthma occurs when vigorous physical activity triggers spasms and narrowing of your airways. Exercise-induced asthma attacks are shorter than attacks caused by other triggers. If you have uncontrolled chronic asthma, exercise can result in exercise-induced asthma symptoms or an attack. People diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma only experience symptoms during or after exercise. Doctors treat asthma with two kinds of medications: Long-term control medications prevent symptoms, and quick-relief medicines such as inhalers stop symptoms and provide relief.
Fitness
According to The Lung Association, you should not avoid exercise if your asthma is under control. Exercise provides many benefits to people with asthma, including strengthening your lungs and the muscles used for breathing. Exercise also enhances your immune system and helps you to maintain a healthy weight. A physical therapist or medical professional can help to assess your aerobic fitness, body composition, flexibility and muscular strength and determine how much and what type of physical activity is best for your condition.
Precautions
The right precautions allow you to engage in activities that improve and maintain your fitness level while lessening the risk of complications from asthma. See your doctor before exercising or increasing your physical activity; your doctor might prescribe medication for you to use during exercise. The American Council on Exercise recommends that you watch for symptoms of an asthma attack during exercise. Drink water to prevent the accumulation of mucous in your airways. Breathe from your diaphragm during exercise, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Keep your inhaler and identification with you during exercise, and wear a medical alert bracelet.
Climate and Locations
Climate and location are important if you exercise with asthma. The American Council on Exercise recommends warm, moist air as a healthier exercise climate for people with asthma. Cold, dry air, which might cause exercise-induced asthma, can irritate your bronchial tubes. Indoor exercise is best if you have plant allergies. Outdoor exercise is best if you are allergic to dust mites. Avoid exercising in areas where you are exposed to chemicals or fumes that can irritate your airways, such as vehicle exhaust fumes.
Exercise Activities
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommends swimming and walking as the best exercises if you have asthma. Exercises that involve stop-and-go activity are better than prolonged running for people with asthma. At least 15 minutes of warm-up helps prevent swelling of your airways. A longer cool-down period can reduce the risk of an asthma attack after exercise. Interval training that combines low-intensity exercise with periods of high-intensity exercise is less likely to trigger an asthma attack.
Tips
Choose exercises that are easy on your lungs. If you exercise outdoors in cold weather, a mask can moisten the air you breathe into your lungs.
Warning
The American Council on Exercise cautions that some asthma medications can affect your heart rate during exercise. Check with your doctor.
References
- MedlinePlus: Asthma
- American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Exercising With Allergies and Asthma
- American Council on Exercise: Exercise and Asthma
- The Lung Association: Asthma
- MayoClinic: How Fit Are You? See How You Measure Up
- American Council on Exercise: Could you please provide general exercise recommendations and guidelines for asthmatics?
