Exercise induced asthma (EIA) is an asthma triggered by prolonged or vigorous physical exertion or exercise. Many chronic asthma people experience asthma symptoms during exercise. However, most people without chronic asthma may develop asthma symptoms during exercise only.
Typically, people with exercise induced asthma experience symptoms of asthma only when they exercise. This is often seen during cold and weather or pollution or allergen levels are high in air. This is also more common in people with respiratory infections and physical conditioning.
SYMPTOMS OF EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA:
Exercise induced asthma symptoms vary from patient to patient. Most common symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Decrease in athletic performance
- Chest tightness
CAUSES OF EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA:
Asthma may be caused due to underlying inflammation or due to periodic attacks. Many people are born with the tendency to have asthma. In exercise induced asthma, rapid movement of air into lungs before warming and moistening causes asthma. This is due to breathing through mouth during exercise.
Following are some causes of exercise induced asthma:
- Sports which have less possibilities to trigger asthma are those which require short bursts of activities and require breaks. Those include: hiking, walking, swimming, recreational biking, golfing, baseball, swimming, wrestling, volleyball, gymnastics, etc.
- Sports that require prolonged activity trigger asthma. Those include: basketball, hockey, long-distance running, soccer and cross-country skiing.
TREATMENTS FOR EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA:
The following treatments can be used for treating exercise induced asthma.
- Beta2-agonist bronchodilator inhalers are widely used.
- Other medications include inhaled cromolyn sodium, like intal and oral leukotriene inhibitors, like montelukast.
PREVENTING MEASURES FOR EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA:
- Avoid exertion while suffering from respiratory tract infections, like bronchitis, flu or cold.
- Quit smoking
- Avoid exertion in cold weather.
- Warm up the body before starting strenuous exercises. This avoids asthma symptoms.
