Here’s How You Deal With Exercise-Induced Asthma

Feel like you are getting an asthma attack while you are exercising?

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You many not have asthma, but certain exercises can induce symptoms that mimic it. Exercise-induced asthma refers to the thinning of airways in lungs triggered by vigorous exercise. It can cause coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing. This condition is also known as bronchoconstriction. The symptoms triggered by exercise induced asthma may last for 60 minutes or longer if left untreated which includes- coughing, fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath and wheezing.

When Do You See a Doctor?

The symptoms can be caused by number of conditions hence making it important to get accurate diagnosis. In case your symptoms are getting worse and there is no improvement even after taking precautionary measures you must see the doctor.

There are 90% chances of having bronchoconstriction when you already have asthma. However, the condition worsens where there is more pollution. Factors that act as triggers include- air pollution, cold air, chlorine in swimming pool or dry air.

Diagnosis

Spirometer is a common test which help you to detect exercise induced asthma. The doctor will also order a normal lung function test. Exercise challenge test helps to observe and assess symptoms during exercise. Using treadmill or other stationary exercises equipment, your breathing rate will be increased to test it. The intensity of exercise induced asthma is then decided to take precautionary measures.

The doctors may also do an alternate challenge test in which the conditions that would likely trigger exercise-induced bronchoconstriction are performed.

No, You Don’t Have to Give Up Exercising

Exercise is important to live a healthy life, including for people with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Here are few tips you can follow to handle it better:

• First keep your existing ailments in control and take your medications timely
• Warm-up is essential
• Avoid triggers of your asthma and other ailments
• Avoid heavy traffic before and after exercising
• Avoid high air pollution area
• Exercise regularly to stay in shape and promote good respiratory health.

It is very important to handle exercise induced asthma very carefully because it can be life-threatening. Before going to see a doctor, make notes: long do the symptoms lasts, are there recent changes in your exercise routine, do you have allergies or asthma, are you experiencing breathing difficulties or any other triggers that you might have missed.

While exercising is a gateway to healthy life, overdoing it may put you in danger of exercise-induced asthma.

(Dr. Manoj Goel is Director, Pulmonology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram )