Exercise induced asthma, also known as sports asthma, is a type of asthma that is triggered by physical activity.
Individuals with this condition, when exercising, experience inflammation and constriction of the bronchial tubes in the lungs, beginning 15 to 20 minutes after beginning exercise, and will experience difficulty breathing.
What Are the Symptoms of Sports Asthma?
The signs and symptoms of exercise-induced asthma are the same as those caused by asthma. Some symptoms include:
Coughing
Chest tightness or pain
Extended recovery time after exercise
Fatigue during exercise
Poor athletic performance
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
What Causes Sports Asthma?
It isn't exactly clear what causes exercise-induced asthma.
However, this condition frequently occurs in individuals whose airways are overly sensitive to immediate changes in the temperature and humidity of the air.
During sports activities, people frequently inhale through their mouths, breathing in cold, dry air, which makes them more susceptible to an asthma attack.
When breathing normally, air enters into the nose where it is moistened and warmed by the nasal passages.
But with exercise-induced asthma, the muscle bands surrounding the airways are sensitive to changes in the air temperature and humidity, and react by constriction of the airways when colder, drier air is inhaled.
How is it Treated?
Just because you have been diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma does not mean you are unable to participate in sporting events.
Inhalers, injections, syrups and tablets are medications that insure that the airways are not irritated during intense activity and allow you to participate.
The treatment of choice is inhaled albuterol, taken 15 minutes before beginning exercise.
This type of medication is known as a bronchodilator as it relaxes the bands of muscle tissue surrounding the bronchial tubes.
Another type of medication for this condition are anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids. Corticosteroids help to reduce the amount of swelling and mucus that is produced in the lungs.
This results in the airways being less sensitive and less likely to react to any triggers. These medicines can be taken in an inhaled form.
Another category of anti-inflammatory drugs are the mast cell stabilizers. An alternative to these mast cell stabilizers are the leukotriene modifiers.
Are There Any Herbs That Can Help?
There are some herbal remedies that can be taken in addition to any existing medications you are currently taking. It would be a good idea to discuss with your physician or pharmacist about any herbs you wish to take, just to make sure there are not any drug interactions.
Here's a list of some herbs that can help:
Licorice root has seen traditional use to help clear the airways in the lungs.
Ginkgo Biloba functions to inhibit production of platelet activating factor (PAF), a chemical that is thought to cause detrimental changes in lung function.
Turmeric is an Indian spice that may provide relief from the symptoms of asthma.
Adhatoda Is a small evergreen shrub that has been used for centuries as a bronchodilator and a mild expectorant.
Coltsfoot has seen traditional use as a cough suppressant.
What Are Some Alternate Activities for Individuals With Sports Asthma?
Here are some alternate sports activities that are less likely to cause problems for people with sports asthma:
Baseball
Football
Gymnastics
Golf
Hiking
Shorter track and field events
Walking
Tips
Here are some tips that will help you when participating in sports activities:
Make sure that you warm up for 5 to 10 minutes before beginning to exercise. This can include any light activity such as stretching or flexibility exercise, or walking.
You should try to breathe through your nose while exercising. This will warm the air entering your lungs, thus minimizing the likelihood you will have an asthma attack.
Take brief periods of rest between exercising, and remember to take any medications should the symptoms start.
Allow for a cooling down after exercise, so that there is not an abrupt change of the temperature of air in the lungs.
Avoid exercising outside during cold weather. If you will be participating in some outdoors sports activity, wearing a ski mask over the mouth and nose can help.
If you experience coughing, wheezing, or are out of breath after exercise, you may have sports asthma. Fortunately, there are inhaled or oral medications, which your doctor may prescribe for you that can help.
In addition, following the tips and herbal recommendations mentioned above, you might be better equipped to participate in sporting activities.
