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ASTHMA FACT SHEET: |
What is exercise-induced asthma?
Exercise-induced asthma usually occurs 10 to 15 minutes after beginning heavy exercise or peak 15 minutes after exercise. Common symptoms of exercise-induced asthma are similar to other types of asthma, such as wheezing, chest tightness and coughing. Normally, people breathe through the nose, which warms and humidifies the air. During heavy exercise, a person often breathes through their mouth allowing colder, dryer air into the lower parts of the lungs, which can cause asthma symptoms. There are medications that can be taken before exercise to prevent asthma symptoms.
Can other asthma triggers affect exercise-induced asthma?
Many people that have exercise-induced asthma only experience asthma symptoms during or after exercise. But for those people with exercise-induced asthma and who react to other environmental triggers, they put an extra burden on their lungs. People breathe at a faster rate when exercising. Therefore, breathing in more triggers. Pollution, pollen/mold (if allergic), and humidity in the air all irritate the airways in the lungs and may cause an asthma attack.
How can exercise-induced asthma be prevented?
- Each person with asthma should consult with a doctor to design an exercise and asthma management program that is right for them.
- All people with asthma should have an Asthma Action Plan. A child’s plan should be shared with school and early child care personnel.
- Know how to recognize the early warning signs of an asthma attack and what to do if one occurs.
- If prescribed by a health care provider, take medications as needed. All medications should be easily accessible, especially at school and/or an early child care setting.
- Include a warm-up and cool-down before and after exercise.
- Limit outdoor exercise on Ozone Action Days. Check the Indiana Department of Environment Management’s Smog Watch website for daily ozone levels or call 800-631-2871 or 317-233-2318.
- Limit exercise outdoors on days pollen or mold counts are high. Check daily weather reports or the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology website for Daily Pollen & Mold Counts.
- A scarf worn over the nose and mouth when exercising outdoors on cold days may be helpful to warm and humidify the air.