Exercise Induced Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system in which the air passage to the lungs becomes restricted, become inflamed or excessively lined with mucus. Such blockages of the air way or inflammation is generally a reaction to some element in the environment. Wheezing and shortness of breath are some of the more common symptoms of asthma.

Some individuals develop the symptoms of asthma when they exercise. Being out of breath and feeling chest contraction right after some vigorous activity is what is known as ‘exercise induced asthma'. In fact, for such individuals, the asthma is triggered exclusively by exercise and none of the other allergens from the environment such as pollen, dry wind, etc.

There are a number of reasons why you may have an asthma attack right after exercise. During exercise your body will have a high demand for oxygen. To get this oxygen, additional work has to be done by the lungs. This may well put you out of breath if the air passage muscles are weak. Also, because exercise increases your metabolism rate, what happens is that there's a rush job on the oxygen that comes into your body. Your blood needs the oxygen so fast that the lungs don't get to keep long enough to warm the air. You also breathe mostly through the mouth while exercising. The result is that cold air keeps hitting your lungs and this is what may cause you to wheeze or lose your breath.

If these are your problems with exercise, and if exercise induced asthma is stopping you from indulging in your favorite activities, then there are possible ways for you to reduce the risk of having an asthma attack. For starters, your best precaution is to take a bronchodilator inhaler prescribed by your doctor. Take it at least a quarter of an hour before you begin your exercise. The bronchodilator relaxes the muscles around the bronchial tubes and this reduces the chances of asthma being induced as a result of changes in breathing patterns.

Another precaution for you to take is to warm up properly before beginning an exercise. When your body gradually warms up and readies for greater exertion, it handles the changes in breathing pattern better. Also, your muscles are more prepared and this will guard you against muscle spasms occurring as well. Also, after you're done exercising, cool down properly. Since you'll be sweating, don't quickly jump into the showers or stand in a breezy area. The sudden drop in body temperature will induce the asthma again.

You should also avoid exercising during the dry pollen seasons. The greater amount of air going inside your body with all the pollen will severely aggravate your asthma. In dry and cold weather, it's a good idea to avoid exercising out of doors. If you must, warm up with a scarf and under warmers.

Many people think that asthma is a psychological problem and ‘all in the person's head', but the fact is that this is a real disease and if ignored can land a person in the hospital and possible result in death. So be cautious of your exercise routine while you exercise.

• John Palsson
• 18/12/2008, 4:59 PM
• 0 Comments