Exercise induced asthma is defined as the presence of asthma when people are exercising fairly strenuously. This can be the only time that people develop asthma, or it may be part of a larger asthmatic condition, where exercise, among other things, is likely to cause asthma. There are effective treatments for this condition, and it should be noted that even some competitive athletes have been able to enjoy extremely successful careers despite this condition.
The causes of exercise induced asthma are numerous. First off, it occurs during exertion, usually a few minutes after exercise starts. Since many forms of aerobic exercise create more rapid breathing, it’s thought that breathing is directly affecting the airway and causing the problem. The condition seems particularly common in extremely cold weather and/or if the air is very dry. Breathing may cause the airway to get too cold or to dry out and this might affect the airway.
Essentially two main things occur in exercise induced asthma. The airways swell, which can inhibit breathing, and mucus is created, which also makes it difficult to breath. In rare cases, the airway becomes so narrow that a severe asthma attack is underway, which can be very dangerous if it is not treated immediately. However, the main symptoms people may describe when they have this condition are wheezing breath, coughing, and difficulty catching breath. Some people describe a tight or sore feeling in the chest, and others report that are not able to exercise at peak capacity or are extremely tired after they work out.
Even if this condition is only present during exercise, it is worth seeing a doctor to get tests. Exercise induced asthma may occasionally make people more susceptible to getting asthma at other times. Moreover any form of asthma should be carefully overseen medically so that treatment can begin. Though initial symptoms of exercise induced asthma can be only mild, the illness can progress to more serious symptoms in the future.
Doctors can tests for exercise induced asthma through lung tests and through exercise tests. The latter can measure lung function while the lungs are being stressed by exercise. Other tests might be needed if a doctor suspects allergies or other causes.
When this condition is diagnosed, there are several ways to treat it. Often, the solution involves using a combination of use of short acting and long acting inhalers. Patients might also be counseled on any behaviors or risks that could exacerbate the problem, like smoking or constant exposure to second hand smoke.
It should be noted that some people with asthma that occurs at others times will consistently have exercise induced asthma too. The term doesn’t rule out that asthma may occur under other circumstances. The main difference is that a person with a more general asthma condition might simply describe it as asthma. Those who only get exercise induced asthma could more meticulously describe it as resulting from exercise.
