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Patients & Consumers Online Tools Find an Allergist / Immunologist Pollen Counts Diseases 101 Featured Resources » AAAAI Tips Brochures Topic of the Month Research for Patients Information Request Form Donate Now En Español Just for Kids Seniors Contact Us Search by Condition (A-Z) Request a Speaker Smoke Free Homes Referral Guidelines Other Resources En Español Just for Kids Seniors		Topic of the Month: February 2006: Exercising with asthma Not only are 18 million Americans affected by asthma, but also more than 20% of elite athletes, and one in every six Olympic athletes. Of these asthmatics, 90% are affected by exercise-induced asthma (EIA). What is exercise-induced asthma (EIA)? People with EIA experience difficulty breathing 5-20 minutes after exercise. Symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, chest pain, and prolonged or unexpected shortness of breath. EIA is caused by airways that are overly sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and humidity, especially when breathing colder, drier air. During strenuous activity, people tend to breathe through their mouths, allowing the cold, dry air to reach the lower airways without passing through the warming, humidifying effect of the nose. In addition to mouth-breathing, air pollutants, high pollen counts, and viral respiratory tract infections can also increase the severity of wheezing with exercise. Who is affected by EIA? Many non-asthmatic patients - up to 13% of the population, and up to 40% of patients with allergic rhinitis and often people who have a family history of allergy - are affected by asthma associated with exercise. Believe it or not, after the 1998 Winter Olympics, 23% of the Olympians were shown to have exercise-induced asthma by sensitive lung function tests. How can EIA be treated? Individuals who experience symptoms of EIA should see an allergist/immunologist for proper diagnosis. To confirm a diagnosis of EIA, an allergist/immunologist will: Obtain the patient's history. Perform a breathing test when the patient is at rest to ensure that the patient does not have chronic asthma. Perform a breathing test after about 6-8 minutes of exercise. For most patients, a short-acting beta2-agonist inhaled 5 to 30 minutes before exercise can ease attacks. To treat underlying asthma, a long-term controller medication like an inhaled steroid or a type of medication called a leukotriene modifier can be used. Medications used to treat asthma are often used to treat EIA. What can be done reduce symptoms of EIA? EIA can be effectively treated by following this basic EIA treatment checklist: EIA Treatment Checklist: Use a short-acting beta2-agonist inhaler, 15 minutes prior to exercise. This will help ease asthma exacerbations and lasts between four to six hours. Warm-up for six to ten minutes before beginning a full exercise program. Drink plenty of fluids. Stop exercising if symptoms arise. Cool down at the end of your exercise. Check out Tips to Remember: Exercise-Induced Asthma for more on prevention. Is exercise bad for people with EIA? People with EIA should not stop exercising. Exercise is good for all people, including those with asthma. If you have been diagnosed with EIA, talk with your allergist/immunologist about a personalized management plan for your EIA and begin exercising again. Many asthmatics have found that with proper training and medical treatment, they are able to reduce the symptoms of EIA. Are there exercises recommended for people with EIA? Certain activities are better for people suffering from EIA, although the type and duration of these activities varies with each individual. Swimming has many positive factors for those with EIA. The warm, humid atmosphere, year-round availability, toning of upper body muscles, and the horizontal position can help mobilize mucus from the bottom of the lungs. Walking, leisure biking, hiking, and free downhill skiing are also less likely to trigger EIA. Wearing a scarf or surgical mask in cold weather can also decrease symptoms by warming the inhaled air. Sports that require short bursts of energy, such as baseball, football, wrestling, golfing, gymnastics, short-term track and field events or surfing are also less likely to trigger EIA. Athletes of all levels need to remember to take proper precautions if they have EIA. Exercise is beneficial to both physical health and emotional well-being. All people with EIA should be able to exercise to their full ability with appropriate diagnosis and treatment. An allergist/immunologist can provide more information on EIA, including a personalized management plan for EIA. Additional Resources Tips to Remember: Exercise-induced asthma Allergic Conditions: Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) What is exercise-induced asthma? The Allergy Report: Managing exercise-induced asthma Allergy and Asthma Advocate Patient Newsletter: Summer 2005 This topic was reviewed on 2/1/2006 by Stuart Friedman, MD, FAAAAI, Patients & Consumers Web Editor <back>
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