Tips to Stay Active with Exercise-Induced Asthma

If you have exercise-induced asthma, physical activity narrows your airways and causes symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. It can make exercising feel intimidating — but you don’t have to give up your workouts.

Staying active is important for your overall health even if you have exercise-induced asthma, and our team at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine can help you manage your symptoms. Here’s a guide from Adam Redlich, MD, with tips that can help keep you enjoying physical activities.

Understanding exercise-induced asthma

Exercise-induced asthma occurs when physical exertion makes the airways in your lungs get inflamed and constricted. It’s often triggered by changes in breathing patterns and exposure to cold, dry air during exercise.

Symptoms can include:

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Fatigue during exercise
• Decreased exercise performance
• Prolonged recovery time after exercise

You might notice symptoms start during or shortly after exercise, and they can persist for several minutes to hours if not properly managed.

Why exercising is important with exercise-induced asthma

The symptoms of exercise-induced asthma can make you wonder if it’s safe to stay active. But even with the condition, regular physical activity remains essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, improving lung function, boosting your immune system, and enhancing your overall quality of life.

The key is to find ways to effectively manage your symptoms, so you can safely participate in your favorite activities and reap the benefits of regular exercise.

Tips for managing exercise-induced asthma

There are a few different ways to minimize your symptoms and make exercising more comfortable. Depending on your needs, these tips can include:

Warm up and cool down properly

Always start with a gradual warm-up session before engaging in intense exercise. This helps prepare your airways and reduce the likelihood of an asthma attack. Cool down at the end of your workout to help your breathing return to normal gradually.

Use asthma medication as prescribed

We may prescribe a bronchodilator (inhaler) to use before or during exercise. This medication helps open up the airways and prevent symptoms. Always carry your rescue inhaler during workouts in case of an asthma attack.

Choose the right environment

Cold, dry air can exacerbate asthma symptoms, so exercise in warm, humid conditions as much as possible. Choose indoor environments like gyms or pools, and avoid exercising outdoors on days with high pollen counts, air pollution, or extreme temperatures.

Select asthma-friendly activities

Some exercises are less likely to trigger asthma symptoms than others. Opt for activities with short bursts of exertion followed by rest, like yoga or weight training. Swimming can also be a good choice, because the warm, moist air helps reduce your risk of airway irritation.

Gradually increase intensity

If you're new to exercise or returning after a break, start with low-intensity activities and gradually increase the intensity over time. This helps your body adjust and reduces the risk of triggering your asthma symptoms.

Monitor your breathing

Learn to pay attention to your breathing patterns during exercise. If you start to experience symptoms, slow down or take a break. We may recommend using a peak flow meter to monitor your lung function before and after exercise to help you gauge how well-controlled your asthma is and adjust your activities accordingly.

Exercise-induced asthma can pose its challenges, but the right management strategies can help you stay active, no matter your favorite activities. Get your personalized asthma care plan with an appointment at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine in Neptune and Robbinsville, New Jersey. Call the office nearest you or request an appointment online now.