What exercise induced asthma is all about - and what you can do about it
Until recent decades, medical professionals thought that exercise induced
asthma and asthma resulting from allergic reactions were entirely different
illnesses. However, subsequent research proved that assumption wrong.
As the name implies, exercise induced asthma is brought on by physical exertion. Asthma symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, etc show up during or after exercise. Bronchial and lung tissues may become inflamed, which could be the result of tissues becoming irritated. It could also be due to an allergic reaction. The inflammation can cause shortness of breath. Inflammation can also act as a trigger for bronchial muscle spasms, which may cause severe breathing problems.
Many people are not allergic to common asthma triggers and do not normally experience asthma symptoms. Yet, they may have exercise induced asthma. It is theorized that this might be due to the breathing pattern changes caused by exercise. People who have exercise induced asthma might have a greater sensitivity to changes in the air or to temperature changes.
Rapid Breathing Can Induce Asthma
During exercise, breathing becomes rapid and tends to be shallow. This kind of breathing brings allergens into close contact with the bronchi and lung tissues. Also, when breathing is rapid, the air that reaches the lungs does not warm up as much as usual. We normally breathe through our nose, which humidifies and warms the air before it reaches the lungs. During heavy exercise, oxygen requirements go up and so we tend to take in air through the mouth. This does not allow the air to become sufficiently warm before it hits the lung tissues.
When air that is cool and dry reaches the lungs, it irritates the bronchi and lung tissues. This may release histamines, which results in inflammation and makes the irritation itself worse. This chain of events can set of an asthmatic reaction.
Fortunately, there are several steps that people affected by exercise induced asthma can take to slash the risk of developing asthma symptoms. In some cases, it may be possible to totally eliminate asthma attacks due to exercise.
The bronchodilator inhaler is a critical element in asthma care. It should be used about fifteen minutes prior to exercising, or as directed by the doctor. This one action can greatly cut the risk of asthma. Bronchodilators act to relax muscles in the vicinity of the bronchial tubes. This will prevent asthmatic changes occurring in response to changed breathing patterns during exercise.
Proper warm up before going into an exercise routine will help tremendously. If the body is gradually eased into a new breathing pattern instead of being plunged into it all of a sudden, the chances of having an asthma attack go down. In any case, adequate warm up is essential for many other reasons. After exercise, the body should be allowed to cool down gradually.
Cold air is a very common asthma trigger. Whenever possible, do not exercise outdoors in cold weather. It helps to cover the nose and mouth with a scarf. This will trap humid, warm air in the region of the nostrils so that cold air is not inhaled directly.
Apart from cold weather, the quality of air is another important consideration. During pollen season, or when the air quality is poor due to other factors, it is best to avoid outdoor exercise. As mentioned earlier, the rapid breathing associated with exercise will being pollen and other allergens into closer contact with the lung tissues. That may be enough to trigger an attack.
Having exercise induced asthma does not mean that the affected person cannot enjoy physical activity or life outdoors. With the right precautions and by following the doctor's advice, it is possible to take part in a wide range of sports and exercise activities.