Gasping for breath while doing aerobics is a common symptom of exercise-induced asthma. Many people never have this form of asthma diagnosed or treated because they assume shortness of breath is a normal complication of exercise. If your breathing affects your quality of exercise, consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Identification
Exercise-induced asthma or EIA, causes shortness of breath five to 15 minutes after aerobic activity. If you have EIA, it may be difficult for you to do aerobics for 30 minutes or more because you will be gasping for air, having tightness in your chest and possibly a cough. You may feel more fatigued than other people doing the same type of aerobics that are in similar shape as you. If you already have asthma, you're more likely to have EIA, since this condition affects 80 to 90 percent of asthma patients. Less common symptoms of EIA are a stomachache or sore throat.
Cause
The direct cause of EIA is hyperventilation during aerobic activity. As you hyperventilate, you begin gasping for breath through your mouth and force air that is colder and dryer than the air in your lungs into your bronchial tree. This dry and cool air irritates the airways, and causes them to tighten and produce excess mucus. Having a respiratory infection, exercising outside in polluted areas, high pollen counts, or being out of shape can worsen the symptoms of EIA.
Treatment
Bronchodilator inhalers are most effective at treating EIA. In most cases, a short-acting inhaled beta-agonist will be used about 15 minutes before exercising to relieve symptoms of EIA for up to four hours. If you are frequently affected by the symptoms of EIA, your doctor may prescribe a long-acting inhaled agonist to be taken 30 minutes before exercising, which relieves symptoms for up to 12 hours. Using a long-acting inhaled beta-agonist on daily basis will make it less effective over time. If your EIA is induced by allergies, you should take an allergy medication in combination with your inhaler to control your breathing during aerobics.
Prevention
Besides taking your inhaler before performing aerobics, there are several steps you can take to control your EIA. Warming up before aerobics and cooling down after your aerobics can control your symptoms. Breathe through your nose while exercising because this will filter, moisturize, and warm the air that enters your lungs. If you perform aerobics indoors, keep windows closed, especially if you're near a lawn that has just been mowed. Avoid respiratory infections by washing your hands frequently, especially during cold and flu seasons, and after using restrooms.
