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Asthma and exercise
Being active is great for your health and
Wellbeing. Sometimes, however,
the physical exertion of exercising or playing sport can trigger a bout
of asthma. This is called ‘exercise-induced asthma’ (EIA). This kind of
asthma is usually easily managed and should be part of any asthma
management plan.
As well as being good for you, regular physical activity can help you
manage your condition. Take time to learn how to manage your asthma so
you can have a healthy, active lifestyle.
People with asthma should be able to participate in almost any sport or
exercise. Scuba diving is the only sport not recommended. Most
individuals with EIA can exercise to their full potential if the
condition is properly treated. Many top athletes competing at national
and international level have asthma.
Exercise-induced asthma
Most people with asthma have asthma symptoms if they exercise in dry or
cold air. When at rest, you breathe through your nose and the air is
warmed, moistened and filtered as it enters your body. When you
exercise, you need more oxygen and so you breathe faster through your
mouth. Your airways react to this cold, dry air and the muscles around
them tighten.
Some of the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma include:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- A feeling of tightness in the chest
-
Breathlessness.
These symptoms can occur during or, more commonly, after exercise.
It is the type of exercise, the amount of time spent exercising and the
intensity of exercise that is important. Typically, vigorous activity
for six minutes or more in cold, dry air is more likely to trigger
asthma.
Preparing for exercise
You can reduce the risk or prevent exercise-induced asthma by preparing
for physical activity in a few simple ways:
- Make sure your day-to-day asthma is well
managed.
- Use your asthma reliever medication around
five to ten minutes before you warm up. Speak to your doctor for
advice.
- Always warm up with light exercise and
stretching for 10 to 15 minutes before you play sport or exercise.
- Always cool down.
If you get
exercise-induced asthma during activity
If you feel the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma:
-
Stop what you’re
doing.
- Follow your Asthma Action Plan. If you do not
have an Asthma Action Plan, take four separate puffs of your blue
reliever medication (Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl, Epaq or Ventolin).
The medication is generally best taken one puff at a time via a
spacer. Take four breaths from the spacer after each puff of
medication.
- Wait four minutes.
- Only return to exercise or activity if you
are free of symptoms.
- If the symptoms don’t go away, or if they
return while you’re exercising, use your blue reliever as before. Do
not return to any exercise or activity for the rest of the day and
see your doctor.
A
‘spacer’ is a special device shaped like a clear plastic football or
tube through which aerosol inhaler medications are inhaled. Bricanyl is
the only reliever medication available in a dry powder inhaler and
cannot be used with a spacer.
When to avoid exercise
You should avoid exercise if:
Things to remember
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