Safety and injury prevention

Exercise-Induced Asthma

Originally Published: October 04, 1996

 

Dear Alice,

I have heard of Exercise Induced Asthma but not been able to find a whole lot about it. Just what is it? What are its symptoms and how do you control it?

---Wheezer

 

Dear Wheezer,

Exercise-induced asthma occurs when a person experiences a bronchospasm, or constricted airway, caused by exercise. The general symptoms are wheezing during, or 5-10 minutes following exercise; accelerated heart rate; coughing; and, chest tightness. Other symptoms include an anxious or scared look, unusual paleness or sweating, flared nostrils upon inhaling, pursed lips while breathing, vomiting, hunched-over posture, frequent clearing of throat, and/or noisy, difficult breathing.

Situations that worsen symptoms may include:

• cold air and low humidity due to increased heat loss from airways

• nasal blockage because inspired air is not warmed and humidified in the nose

• air pollutants

• high pollen counts

• viral respiratory tract infections

Upon listening to your body, be aware if you are breathing too quickly, if your heart seems to be beating too fast, and if you are wheezing. Although self-diagnosis is not recommended, specific tests are available to detect exercise-induced asthma. An allergist or pulmonary specialist would be able to administer these tests and properly diagnose your condition.

Treatment of exercise-induced asthma involves careful selection of activities that will not cause the symptoms. Free running is the activity most likely to induce asthmatic responses. Other sports that may need to be avoided, or curtailed, include any long distance non-stop activities, such as treadmill running, cycling, basketball, field hockey, and soccer, since these may be more likely to aggravate airways.

One sport found to hold many benefits is swimming because it is done in a warm, humid environment and in a horizontal position, which helps mobilize mucus from the bottom of the lungs. Sports involving short bursts of energy are also recommended, such as short distance track and field events, golf, baseball, football, wrestling, and gymnastics. For those who cannot tolerate these activities, walking, light jogging, and leisurely biking and/or hiking are recommended. In addition, warm-up exercises are important and have been shown to reduce or alleviate chest tightness. Pursed lip breathing may also help reduce airway obstruction.

If in doubt, make an appointment with Columbia Health Services at x4- 2284, or see your personal physician. If you are interested, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology offers a free Physician Referral and Information Line: 1-800-822-2762.

Good Luck!!

Alice

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