Wheezing and being out of breath after exercising might be more than just a normal reaction to a workout. It could be an indication of exercise-induced asthma, or EIA. The condition is treatable and is no reason to avoid exercise. With proper treatment and precautions, you can stay active. MayoClinic.com cautions that if your shortness of breath and wheezing become severe, if shortness of breath continues even after you have physically recovered from the workout, or if you already know you have EIA and your inhaler doesn't help, you should seek immediate medical care.
Exercise-Induced Asthma Causes
With exercise-induced asthma -- also called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction -- your airways tighten and become inflamed. EIA can affect both people with chronic asthma and people who have symptoms of asthma only during or after physical exertion; both types require treatment. EIA is often triggered by mouth-breathing when exercising. Kids Health notes that breathing through the mouth bypasses the warming and humidifying effects afforded by breathing through your nose. Working out in cold, dry air is another trigger for EIA. University of New Mexico notes that 35 percent of figure skaters have EIA, due to continued exposure to cold temperatures; many had no prior history of asthma. Other triggers for exercise-induced asthma attacks include smoggy, polluted or smoky air, high pollen counts, having a cold and being out of shape.
Symptoms
Signs of EIA may begin a few minutes after you begin exercising, or they may set in 10 to 15 minutes after you've stopped. Sometimes, symptoms may occur both during and after the workout session. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue while exercising, shortness of breath and poor athletic performance. University of New Mexico says that stomach pain, cramps and headache can also occur.
Treatment
Your doctor may recommend a quick-relief, short-acting beta agonist, such as albuterol, to be used in an inhaler 10 to 15 minutes before exercise. If this is ineffective, he may prescribe long-term, or controller, medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids, including fluticasone and flunisolide. MayoClinic.com says that oral leukotriene modifiers -- such as montelukast or zileuton -- can help prevent symptoms for 24 hours, and may also be advised. Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may be used to relieve airway inflammation, but because of side effects, they are usually used only on a short-term basis. Your doctor may also recommend allergy medications, including antihistamines and decongestants, if your asthma is triggered by allergies.
Recommended Activities
Some forms of exercise are more suitable than others for people with EIA. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology endorses swimming as ideal, and not only because of the presence of warm, moist air but because swimming strengthens upper body muscles. Other good activities for people with EIA include walking, leisure biking, jogging, hiking and team sports that require short bursts of energy, such as baseball, football and shorter track and field events. Activities more likely to trigger EIA include ice hockey, basketball, long-distance running and winter sports.
Benefits of Continued Exercise
MayoClinic.com says that exercise can actually help asthma symptoms in the long run. According to University of New Mexico, the benefits of exercise for asthma include increased cardiorespiratory fitness, improved endurance and decreased anxiety about physical activity. Regular exercise can also cause a possible reduction of asthma symptoms and could reduce the necessity for using inhaled and oral steroids.
