Controlling asthma during athletic activities

Asthma adds an extra challenge to working out. There are extra precautions that must be taken for asthmatics who participate in athletic activities. Still, it is better to exercise than opt out of being active.

I understand this first hand since I have asthma. I had no symptoms of asthma for over a year. My asthma returned when I began exercising on a regular basis. I began experiencing chest pain during my workout, which prompted me to make an appointment with my doctor. Several tests were performed to rule out any heart conditions, and the doctor concluded that it was exercise induced asthma.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a lung disorder that disturbs breathing. It causes the airways of the lungs to become inflamed.

Symptoms of asthma include:

* Wheezing

* Shortness of breath

* Pain or tightness in the chest

* Coughing that won't subside

What triggers asthma?

* Allergies

* Animal hair and dander

* Athletic activities

* Changes in weather temperature

* Chemicals in the air we breathe or the food we eat

* Cigarette smoke

* Dust

* Colds and upper respiratory infections

* Mold

* Perfumes

* Pollen

* Powerful emotions such as stress and laughing

The best exercise for people with asthma

Swimming is said to be the best exercise for those with asthma, and for me that holds true. Indoor swimming is excellent for asthmatics because the air is warm and humid.

How to control asthma during athletic activities

Use your preventative inhaler prior to exercising. Common preventive inhalers are Flovent and Advair. I use Advair because Flovent stopped working for me. Advair combines two medications as opposed to the one in Flovent.

Always have a rescue inhaler on hand in case of an asthma attack. Albuterol is the most common rescue inhaler, and it is the one I use.

Follow any instructions by your doctor. Before my preventative inhaler got in my system, I was instructed to use Albuterol 15 to 30 minutes before exercising.

Stop exercising if you have an asthma attack, and use your rescue inhaler. If asthmatic symptoms completely disappear, activity may be resumed. If symptoms come back it is advised that you stop working out for the day. Follow any instructions given by your doctor, such as repeating the use of your inhaler. You should also call your health care provider for further instructions.

Do not exercise when you have an illness below the neck. You should not workout when having a chest cold or stomach virus.

Always follow your health care professional's advice regarding how often to use your inhalers.

More from this Contributor:

Adolescents on swim teams learn more than just swimming

Why contacts should never be worn while swimming

5 highly effective exercises

A closer look at Zumba

Risks associated with overworking during athletic activities

Rebecca completed courses in Medical Terminology, Administrative Medical Assisting and Coding and Billing. She is recognized by the National Healthcareer Association as a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) and Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA). In addition, Rebecca is avid about swimming, jogging and other athletic activities.

Sources:

Personal Experience

Web MD

Medline Plus

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