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What You Should Know About Exercising With Asthma

KimA |

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The question of exercising with asthma is a worry to many, especially those who are extremely active. EIA, or exercise-induced asthma, can result in an asthma attack during strenuous physical activity such as playing sports or working out. The good news is that most asthma management routines include this kind of asthma, which is not hard to deal with.

Asthma and exercise really isn't a problem. You should be able to perform virtually any physical activity if you have asthma. The only sport we must advise against is scuba diving. With proper treatment, the majority of people diagnosed with EIA will still be able to achieve their maximum potential through exercise.

Exercising in cold or dry air is usually the only trigger for problems related to exercising with asthma. When you are at rest and you inhale, the air gets warmed, moistened and filtered as it enters your body through your nose. You will find that when you exercise your body needs more oxygen, which causes you to breath through your mouth instead. If you breathe in cold, dry air, you will feel the muscles in your neck and throat tightening.

Wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and breathlessness are some of the indicators of exercise-induced asthma. These symptoms may be noticed while you do your exercise or afterwards. The important variables are the length of time spent exercising, the kind of exercise, and its intensity. It's much more common to trigger an asthma attack if you are exerting yourself in cold or dry air for longer than six minutes.

One way of preventing an asthma attack induced by exercise is to get prepared before you exercise by following these simple tips. Five to ten minutes before you warm up, take your asthma medicine. If you are going to exercise or play sports, make sure you precede it by a warm up of light exercise and stretching for about 10 to 15 minutes. Always cool down afterwards.

When exercise-induced asthma indicators are felt, discontinue your activities and begin your asthma action plan. You should consult with your physician to learn the best asthma treatments for EIA, and you should always consult with your physician before beginning any exercise plan.

When symptoms subside, exercise and activity may be resumed. If symptoms persist or if they come back during exertion, continue your usual plan of action. Visit your doctor and do not exert yourself until the following day.

When your asthma is not under control or you have a cold or the flu, you should not do any exercise. Also, a peak flow meter result should be at least 80 percent of your personal standard.

Having asthma does not mean that you can't exercise. A fitness routine will not only keep you healthy, it will help you keep your asthma under control. If you want to have an active, healthy lifestyle, you should spend time learning the best way to handle your condition and how to make exercising with asthma part of your regular routine.