For people with asthma, exercise is essential but potentially dangerous. Regular physical activity can reduce both the severity and frequency of asthma attacks, but inappropriate or excessive exercise may trigger the onset of an attack. If you have asthma, consult your primary health care provider for exercise tips tailored to your own medical condition.
Benefits
Exercise offers several benefits to people who suffer from asthma. According to MayoClinic.com, asthma patients who exercise will experience fewer asthma attacks. When attacks do occur, they are less likely to be severe if you exercise regularly. This can lead to fewer complications such as missed work or hospital visits. Furthermore, regular exercise may reduce your dependence on drugs used to treat severe asthma, reducing your risk of long-term side effects.
Function
Exercise works in several ways to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms. The Mayo Clinic reports that exercise can strengthen the lungs, enabling better airflow during an attack. Exercise also improves cardiovascular health, so your blood will circulate oxygen with a lower risk of asthma-related hypoxia. Regular physical activity also facilitates weight loss, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, may help to control asthma-related symptoms.
Risks
Unfortunately, exercise is not risk-free for people with asthma. A common form of the condition, exercise-induced asthma, occurs during or immediately after physical exertion. People with exercise-induced asthma often avoid physical activity because they are afraid of experiencing an attack. However, a lack of exercise can cause long-term risks for someone with asthma. If you take proper precautions, the benefits of exercise for asthma will greatly outweigh the risks.
Guidelines
Several simple precautions can help prevent asthma attacks triggered by exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic, asthma patients should warm up for at least 15 minutes before engaging n strenuous exercise. You should also exercise in a humid, reasonably warm environment. During the winter, exercise inside at a gym or in your own home rather than outside in cold, dry air. Minimize your exposure to irritants and allergens, such as dust, mold spores and pollen. If you have a respiratory infection such as a cold or bronchitis, do not exercise until the infection remits.
