Exercise Induced Asthma

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Many people may have exercise induced asthma and never realize it or have it diagnosed or treated if they do not exercise regularly or often enough. But it can be a serious problem that needs to be addressed if you find yourself wanting to exercise and having difficulty breathing.

Asthma is a chronic condition where the breathing passages of the lungs become inflamed, making it difficult to breathe. For many asthma is often triggered by something that causes the condition to worsen and result in what is commonly referred to as an asthma attack.

Triggers generally vary from person to person. For some with allergic asthma, an asthma attack can be caused by anything from pollen, dust, pet hair, mildew, or smoke. It is hard for many people to really understand what causes certain triggers to bother some people’s asthma but not others.

Other factors can contribute to an asthma attack, such as changes in temperature or humidity or even stress.

Exercise Induced Asthma is often associated with an asthma attack that results from the stimulation of the lungs and breathing passages that is likely during exercising. Those who are affected by exercise induced asthma may not have any other triggers from things like atmosphere temperature or pollutants in the air.

While it may seem like exercise induced asthma may be a major obstacle in being able to workout or do any strenuous physical activity, there are several treatments and medications available which make it possible for those who are vulnerable to exercise induced asthma to achieve any exercise objectives or lose weight. Several professional athletes have had asthma and still lead successful careers through managing their asthma with medications. Former Pittsburgh Steeler’s running back Jerome Bettis is one example of an athlete who suffered from asthma – but it did not affect his career thanks to medication and being able to manage it.

Some sports and exercises are more likely to cause exercise induced asthma than others. Sports that require high lung capacity such as basketball, jogging, hockey, and soccer are ones that may trigger an asthma attack more than exercises such as walking, recreational bicycling, swimming, baseball, or downhill skiing.

If you find yourself having symptoms of an asthma attack during exercise (which include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightening, or coughing), you should speak to your doctor to find out if you may have exercise induced asthma. If these symptoms seem severe, do not be afraid to seek emergency treatment and have someone drive you to the nearest hospital or call 911. Not being able to breathe can be life threatening and it is better to be safe than sorry.

Your doctor may prescribe an inhaler for you to use anytime you have the onset symptoms of an asthma attack or medication to take which will help prevent the symptoms of an asthma attack from happening. Your doctor will be able to assess your health history, the causes of your exercise induced asthma, and find a suitable treatment plan for your individual medical needs.