Exercise-induced asthma means that asthma symptoms only show during or right after exercise. Symptoms occur when your airways tighten and produce extra mucus. Autonomic dysfunction, or dysautonomia, is a disorder involving the nervous system functions. Dysautonomia is a broad group of disorders and can include curable, reversible conditions or chronic and progressive conditions.
Exercise-Induced Asthma
Exercise-induced asthma's causes are unknown, according to MayoClinic.com. Asthma symptoms may be tied in with central nervous system imbalance and autonomic dysfunction, according to Tuomas Jartti in a research article published in the journal Clinical Physiology. Symptoms may be triggered by drying or cooling of the airways during heavy breathing. Certain medical conditions or weather conditions can be triggers for the airway constriction. These include cold or dry air, pollution, allergies, chemicals or being overweight. Usually, symptoms appear a few minutes after exercising. These can include coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or fatigue.
Autonomic Dysfunction
Dysautonomia encompasses a range of disorders involving autonomic nervous system dysfunction. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, one of the National Institutes of Health, the condition can be localized and a secondary result of another disease or it can be generalized such as pure autonomic failure. The disease can occur as a primary condition, such as multiple system atrophy. In addition, the disease can show up in association with degenerative neurologic diseases, such as Parkinson's. General symptoms of autonomic problems can include impotence, blood pressure falls or spikes and rapid pulse rate. Asthma can show up as a symptom and another result of underlying autonomic dysfunction according to Jartti.
Treating Exercise-Induced Asthma
Exercise-induced asthma is commonly treated with inhalers featuring bronchodilator medications, according to MayoClinic.com. These medications, which can be used before exercise or when symptoms arise, are designed to open the airways and fight off constriction. For some, inhalers are not effective enough and stronger medication is required. Five different medications can be used, the most common of which is inhaled corticosteroids. These are safe and have a lower risk of side effects than other options like leukotriene modifiers, theophylline, long-acting beta antagonists and combination medications, according to MayoClinic.com. These other medications can lead to more severe attacks, or even cause psychological reactions. More advanced treatments are often required as symptoms advance with autonomic dysfunction.
Treating Autonomic Dysfunction
Dysautonomia has no cure, but secondary forms can improve with treatment of the underlying disease, notes NINDS. Treatments are designed to fight and help symptoms, which can include asthma and breathing problems. In chronic dysautonomia of the central nervous system, treatment options are limited. Chronic cases are often terminal; death can occur from pneumonia, acute respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.
Theories/Speculation
Asthma is associated with central nervous system imbalance. In autonomic conditions, there is an increased bronchial sensitivity and a decrease in dilators meant to help with airway function. Further, Jartti notes that autonomic dysfunction has been tied to clinical asthma and the worsening of asthma in adults but not children. Jartti hypothesizes that the autonomic dysfunction in asthma in adults may be related to the disease advancing over time or it may be related to long-term asthma medication use.
