Updated December 04, 2014.
Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is a form of asthma that is triggered by physical activity. Asthma causes inflammation and sensitivity of the small airways of the lungs. When triggered by exercise or other environmental substances, the lung's airways can spasm or constrict.
People with exercise-induced asthma typically experience asthma symptoms only when they exercise. Exercise-induced asthma is more common when the weather is cold and dry, or the level of pollution or allergens in the air is high.
It is also more common in those with poor physical conditioning or respiratory infections.
Symptoms of Exercise-Induced Asthma:
Symptoms of EIA vary from person to person, but the most common symptoms include:- wheezing
- coughing
- shortness of breath
- chest tightness
- fatigue
- decreased athletic performance
Controlling Exercise-Induced Asthma
Exercise-induced asthma is best managed when a patient and their doctor work together to identify, eliminate, and control triggers. Choose the most effective preventative and maintenance medications, and have an asthma emergency plan.Exercise-induced asthma is often treated with the same medications used for a standard asthma diagnosis. The most common medications prescribed for EIA include short-acting inhaled bronchodilators that are used prior to exercise in order to relax and open up the airway. Other medications your doctor may prescribe include longer acting bronchodilators, mast cell stabilizers, and leukotriene modifiers.
If you have asthma symptoms during exercise, it's important to see a doctor and get a complete physical evaluation before taking any medications.
Know Your Asthma Triggers
To manage exercise-induced asthma, it's important to know what triggers your asthma symptoms. For example, if your symptoms occur most often during strenuous activity in cold, dry air, you may need to exercise indoors during the winter or wear a scarf or face mask when you exercise outside. Other things you may need to do include adjusting your routine during high pollution and high allergen days, or stop exercising when you feel tired, or have a cold or other illness.Improved physical conditioning has been shown to decrease the incidence of asthma attacks. For this reason, those with asthma are encouraged to continue exercising. Another key to minimizing symptoms of exercise-induced asthma during sports are to be sure to perform a thorough warm-up before workouts. Ten minutes of gradually increasing exercise is the minimum someone with asthma should do before working out intensely.
Managing an Asthma Attack
If an asthma attack does occur, it's important to act quickly to stop the episode. Asthma attacks can occur very suddenly and dramatically and can also subside quickly when the trigger is either removed or medication is administered. Here are the steps to take to treat an asthma attack:- Stop all activity and try to stay calm.
- Get away from or remove any obvious triggers (smoke, dust, cold temperatures).
- If you have prescription medication, take it.
- Try to slow or control any erratic breathing.
- If the symptoms continue, get medical attention quickly.
Exercise-induced asthma doesn't have to keep you from physical activity. In fact, exercise is an important part of your treatment plan. Many successful athletes have exercise-induced asthma that they control with a combination of medication and environmental control. You too can remain healthy and physically fit with proper education and use of medication for your asthma.
Sources:
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Exercising With Allergies and Asthma.
Storms, William W., MD and David M. Joyner, MD. Update on Exercise-Induced Asthma: A report of the Olympic Exercise Asthma Summit Conference. The Physician and Sports Medicine