Asthma that occurs during and after exercise and causes shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing and wheezing as well as poor athletic performance is called exercise-induced asthma. There are ways to prevent this type of asthma with careful planning beforehand. There are also ways to treat it when it occurs, and even devices to let you know an attack may be beginning. The first step in handling this problem is to let your doctor know what activities you would like to participate in and the symptoms you normally have.
Causes
Triggers that can bring on an attack of exercise-induced asthma or worsen one in progress include dry air, cold air, high pollen counts, having a respiratory infection such as a cold or sinus problems, chemicals such as paint, chlorine, fertilizers or herbicides or being out of shape physically. You are at higher risk of having exercise-induced asthma if you are a child, are overweight, smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke, have hay fever or other allergies, already have asthma that is triggered by other factors or are constantly exposed to triggers in your occupation. The type chemicals used in the farming industry or hairdressing, or in the paint steel or plastics industry can be offenders.
Prevention
Some doctors recommend taking your quick-relief medication, such as Albuterol, prior to beginning exercise to help avoid an attack. A peak flow meter can assist you with knowing whether your air flow is becoming affected before you feel symptoms. This meter is a portable, hand-held device that measures your air flow in one "fast blast" of pushing air out of your lungs. You may need to modify your exercise routine, spending more time warming up and cooling down or lowering the intensity of your workout.
Monitoring Environments
Scope out both indoor and outdoor environments where you work out to avoid or take into considerations certain triggers. Indoor spaces are popular in the wintertime and those spaces of full of people carrying germs. A flu shot may help your immunity. Try to find indoor spaces that are well-ventilated and reduce your exposure to mold, mildew and other triggers. Check out whether there is a pool with chlorine or other chemicals used for cleaning. Keep your trainer appraised of your situation and emergency measures. Outdoors, beware of outdoor allergens such as pollen, chimney smoke and leaf burning. Dress appropriately for the weather, especially if it is cold outside. Listen to reports about air pollution and decide to take extra precautions or avoid the air on those days.
Medications
If you have frequent asthma symptoms outside of exercising, or if medication before exercising does not keep symptoms under control, consider a long-term control medication. These include inhaled corticosteroids such as Flovent Diskus or Pulmicort Flexhaler, or leukotriene modifiers such as Singulair and Zyflo. Theophylline is a pill taken daily for keep the airways open. Long-acting beta agonists are inhaled and include Serevent Diskus and Foradil Aerolizer, which should be taken with an inhaled corticosteroid. Combination inhalers such as Advair Diskus and Symbicort can also be used, but with caution because they sometimes cause severe attacks. If your asthma is allergy-induced, you may consider allergy treatments such as Zolair, oral and nasal spray antihistamines and decongestants, and sprays with corticosteroids. Allergy shots can reduce your immune response to specific allergens.
