Exercise Induced Asthma
Exercise induced asthma (EIA) refers to asthma that occurs only with exercise. The reported incidence of EIA varies between 5% and 20% of the general population.
During start of exercise pulmonary functions tends to be normal, but within 5 to 10 minutes symptoms of asthma such as wheezing, breathlessness, tightness of chest appear. Patient may also feel extreme fatigue. The symptoms become worse 5 to 10 minutes after the cessation of exercise.
The mechanism is not clear, increased blood flow and mediator release due to change in osmotic pressure have been proposed as probable causes.
People with exercise induced asthma have airways that are sensitive towards changes of temperature and humidity. During rest we breath through nose. Nose has a temperature and humidity control mechanism that makes air humid and at body temperature. When we exercise we breath through mouth, our respiration becomes rapid. This forces cold and dry air into the airways causing airway muscles to contract and also walls of airways become inflamed resulting in narrowing of airways.
Here are the common questions arising in the minds of people with exercise induced asthma.
What is the precaution I can take to prevent the attack?
With proper control of asthma, most adults and children with asthma call participate fully in physical activities.
If needed you should take 2 puffs of short acting reliever (one with blue cap) inhaler 15 minutes prior to exercise. This usually prevents the attack.
Is exercise beneficial for me as with rest of people?
Exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and other health related problems in asthmatic person as in any other person.
Aerobic exercise programs have shown to reduce airway responsiveness in patients who do them regularly. Studies also suggests that asthma sufferers who exercise regularly have fewer exacerbations, use less medication, and miss less time from work and school.
What are the exercise goals for asthma patients?
The exercise goal for people who have asthma, as for most people, should be 20 to 30 minutes of activity that raises heart rate to 60% to 85% of maximum, four or five times a week.
What are the exercises that are more suitable for me?
Aerobic exercises like swimming, running or biking or which exposes the exerciser to warm, moist air that tempers the effect on the airways are more suitable for asthmatic patients.
Yoga may help manage asthma. Sahaja yoga is a type of meditation based on yoga principals that was found to be somewhat effective in managing moderate-to-severe asthma.
On which days I should skip exercise?
If you are wheezing, when allergies are particularly troubling, or when peak flow testing suggests a decline in lung function. These are signs that you have higher chances of having exercise induced asthma on that particular day.
Winners With Exercise-Induced Asthma:
What do Jackie Joyner-Kersey, Dominique Wilkins, Nancy Hogshead, Bill Koch, Greg Louganis, Jim Ryun and marathon runner and world record holder Haile Gebrselassie have in common?
They are world famous athlete who has asthma. They come from diverse fields: swimming, track and field, cross-country skiing, diving, basketball, and long-distance running. Properly following their Asthma Action Plan help them become winners.