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Exercise-induced asthma

Wheezing - exercise-induced; Reactive airway disease - exercise

 

Sometimes exercise triggers asthma symptoms. This is called exercise-induced asthma (EIA).

The symptoms of EIA are coughing, wheezing, a feeling of tightness in your chest, or shortness of breath. Most times, these symptoms start soon after you stop exercising. Some people may have symptoms after they start exercising.

Be Careful Where and When you Exercise

 

Having asthma symptoms when you exercise does not mean you cannot or should not exercise. But be aware of your EIA triggers.

Cold or dry air may trigger your asthma symptoms. If you do exercise in cold or dry air:

  • Breathe through your nose.
  • Wear a scarf or mask over your mouth.

DO NOT exercise when the air is polluted. DO NOT exercise near fields or lawns that have just been mowed.

Warm up before you exercise, and cool down afterward:

  • To warm up, walk or do your exercise activity slowly before you speed up.
  • The longer you warm up, the better.
  • To cool down, walk or do your exercise activity slowly for several minutes.

Some kinds of exercise may be less likely to trigger asthma symptoms than others.

  • Swimming is a good sport for people with EIA. The warm, moist air helps keep asthma symptoms away.
  • Football, baseball, and other sports with periods when you do not move fast are less likely to trigger your asthma symptoms.

Activities that keep you moving fast all the time are more likely to trigger asthma symptoms, such as running, basketball, or soccer.

 

Use Your Asthma Medicine Before you Exercise

 

Take your short-acting, or quick-relief, inhaled medicines before you exercise.

  • Take them 10 to 15 minutes before exercise.
  • They can help for up to 4 hours.

Long-acting, inhaled medicines may also help.

  • Use them at least 30 minutes before exercise.
  • They can help for up to 12 hours. Children can take this medicine before school, and it will help for the whole day.
  • Be aware that using this kind of medicine every day before exercise will make it less effective over time.

Follow your doctor's advice on which medicines to use and when.

 

 

Open References

References

Lugogo N, Que LG, Gilstrap DL, Kraft M. Asthma. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 42.

Weiler JM, Anderson SD, Randolph C, et al. Pathogenesis, prevalence, diagnosis, and management of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction: a practice parameter. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol . 2010;105(6 Suppl):S1-S47. PMID: 21167465 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21167465 .

 
  • Exercise-induced asthma

    Exercise-induced asthma - illustration

    Exercise-induced asthma is distinct from allergic asthma in that it does not produce long-term increase in airway activity. People who only experience asthma when they exercise may be able to control their symptoms with preventive measures such as warm-up and cool-down exercises.

    Exercise-induced asthma

    illustration

    • Exercise-induced asthma

      Exercise-induced asthma - illustration

      Exercise-induced asthma is distinct from allergic asthma in that it does not produce long-term increase in airway activity. People who only experience asthma when they exercise may be able to control their symptoms with preventive measures such as warm-up and cool-down exercises.

      Exercise-induced asthma

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

    Talking to your MD

     

      Self Care

       

      Tests for Exercise-induced asthma

       
         

        Review Date: 2/2/2016

        Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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