[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
What Is Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction?<\/h3>\n
If you have asthma symptoms during exercise or physical activity, you may have exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). In the past, it was called exercise-induced asthma. But that name wrongly suggests that exercise causes asthma.<\/p>\n
Anyone can have shortness of breath during exercise. If you have EIB, your airways become tight, narrowed, and inflamed during physical activity. This happens because you breathe dry air during exercise, causing you to lose heat, water, or both from your airways. Dryness of the air, rather than the temperature, seems to be the most likely trigger.<\/p>\n
As many as 90% of all people who have asthma also have EIB.1<\/sup>\u00a0You can also have EIB even if you do not have asthma.<\/p>\n Symptoms of EIB include:<\/p>\n Coughing is the most common symptom of EIB and may be the only symptom you have. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.<\/p>\n This is the typical timeline for EIB symptoms:2<\/sup><\/p>\n Some people will have a second wave (\u201clate-phase\u201d) of symptoms 4 to 12 hours after stopping exercise. Late-phase symptoms are often less severe and can take up to 24 hours to resolve.<\/p>\n When you exercise, your body demands more oxygen so you breathe faster and deeper. You usually breathe in through your mouth during exercise. Air that you breathe in from your mouth is dryer and cooler than when you breathe through your nose. It would be ideal to breathe both through the nose and mouth.<\/p>\n The dry and\/or cold air is the main asthma trigger for airway narrowing (bronchoconstriction) and inflammation seen in EIB. Exercise that exposes you to cold, dry air is more likely to cause asthma symptoms than exercise involving warm, humid air. Some examples of cold weather exercise that may cause asthma symptoms include running outside in the winter months, ice skating, and playing hockey.<\/p>\n Other triggers that can make EIB symptoms worse include:<\/p>\n It is important to know the difference between being out of shape and having EIB. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, family history, and may perform a series of tests to diagnose EIB. Your doctor may measure your breathing before, during, and after exercise to test your lung function. This can be done by having you run on a treadmill or ride an exercise bike. If you have EIB, your doctor will help you create a plan so you can take steps to prevent asthma symptoms during exercise. Your doctor will also tell you what to do if you have an asthma flare-up or attack.<\/p>\n Other conditions your doctor will need to rule out include:<\/p>\n With a diagnosis and treatment plan, you can enjoy all types of physical activity.<\/p>\n Good general health, physical conditioning, and medical treatment can prevent EIB in most people. If\u00a0you have EIB, your doctor will prescribe asthma medicine for you to take to help you manage your symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe a quick-relief medicine (usually in inhaler form). You would take it 15 to 20 minutes before activity or exercise.\u00a0An example of a quick-relief medicine is albuterol. It works by relaxing the small muscles that squeeze the airways. (These medicines \u201crelieve the squeeze.\u201d)<\/p>\n Your doctor may also prescribe a controller medicine, as well as other\u00a0asthma medicines<\/a>, which aim to control and prevent specific asthma symptoms.<\/p>\n Together, you can find the best asthma treatment for you based on your medical history and the type of activity you do.<\/p>\n If you continue to have frequent symptoms with usual activity or exercise, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may adjust your asthma treatment plan to help your symptoms. The major goal is to continue exercising regularly and not avoid it.<\/p>\n Remember, you should be able to take part in activities, sports, and exercise without experiencing symptoms! Do not let EIB keep you from leading an active life or from achieving your athletic dreams.<\/p>\n Activities most likely to trigger EIB:2<\/sup><\/p>\n Activities least likely to trigger EIB:<\/p>\n It is important to talk with your health care provider before beginning any exercise program. Do proper warm-up exercises such as stretching or a light jog. Pace yourself. With effective management, people with EIB can perform and excel in a variety of sports. Many Olympic athletes and professional athletes with EIB excel in their sports, when it is appropriately managed.<\/p>\n Exercise benefits your entire body. While exercise cannot cure your asthma, some of its health benefits can help keep your asthma well-controlled.<\/p>\n Some health benefits of exercise that can help your asthma include:<\/p>\n A strong, healthy body is one of your best defenses against disease. Many people with asthma have symptoms during exercise. With proper prevention and management, you should be able to exercise free of symptoms.<\/p><\/div>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Medical Review” module_class=”med-rev clearfix” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Medical Review: July 2024 by John James, MD<\/small><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Accordion – References” module_class=”accord” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” border_width_all=”0px” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”References” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]What Are the Symptoms of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction?<\/h3>\n
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What Causes Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction?<\/h3>\n
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How Do Doctors Diagnose\u00a0Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction\u00a0?<\/h3>\n
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What Types of Medicines Treat or Prevent\u00a0Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction?<\/h3>\n
What Types of Sports Are Best for People with Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction?<\/h3>\n
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Can Exercise Help Asthma?<\/h3>\n
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