You have just finished a great workout when you start coughing. You have a hard time breathing, and your chest feels tight. Did you push yourself too hard? Maybe. But you are not out of shape. At least, you did not think so. But this is not the first time this has happened after you have exercised.
Sound familiar? If so, then you may have exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Simply put, EIA is asthma that is triggered by exercise. It most commonly strikes after 6-10 minutes of exercise. It may go away 30-60 minutes after you are done exercising.
Symptoms include:
Symptoms often increase when air pollutants, pollen, or cold, dry air is present. That is why EIA is more common in cold weather sports like speed skating, figure skating, and cross-country skiing.
It is not completely clear why what causes EIA. A theory is that during exercise, you breath differently, usually more quickly and through the mouth. This affects your lungs because the air that you are inhaling has not had time to be warmed and moistened, the way that it is when you breath through your nose. The cooler and dryer airways cause the muscles around the airways to tighten, which in turn leads to asthma symptoms
Certain factors increase your risk of developing EIA. For example, if you have asthma or severe rhinitis (hay fever), you may be more likely to experience EIA.
Unfortunately, EIA is often overlooked and misdiagnosed, which can lead to bigger health problems down the road. "If people don't get the condition diagnosed, they either won't exercise or they stop exercising," says William Storms, MD, an allergist with Asthma and Allergy Associates in Colorado Springs, CO. Storms also adds that a good diagnosis involves a breathing test usually performed after exercising.
Treatment options for EIA are numerous. The best option varies from person to person and may include medicines that are either inhaled or swallowed. Using medicines called short-acting beta-2 agonists 10-15 minutes before exercise may be the most effective choice to prevent EIA.
Because treatment is available, EIA should not prohibit anybody from being active. "Everybody should be able to participate in exercise at any level they want," Storms says.
The key to preventing or reducing the frequency of EIA is to exercise sensibly. Talk to your doctor about what measures would work best for you. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
RESOURCE:
The American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org/
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
htt://www.aafa.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Allergy Asthma Information Association
http://aaia.ca/
The Canadian Lung Association
http://www.lung.ca/
References:
Asthma in America: A Landmark Survey. Available at: www.asthmainamerica.com .
Exercise-induced asthma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated March 2010. Accessed May 5, 2010.
Exercise-induced asthma. Kids Health website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/asthma/exercise_asthma.html#. Updated April 2010. Accessed May 5, 2010.
Exercise-induced asthma: prevention. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-induced-asthma/DS01040. Accessed May 5, 2010.
National Jewish Medical and Research Center website. Available at: www.njc.org .
Last reviewed May 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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