AsthmaCenter.us
Exercise and Asthma Many people with asthma feel asthma symptoms during exercise or a little while after finishing exercise. These symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest pain, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. Activities that bring on these symptoms include walking fast, climbing stairs, jumping, running hard or playing hard. Most people with asthma will stop having exercise-induced asthma symptoms when their asthma is well controlled by taking controller asthma medication every day. People with asthma will benefit greatly from exercise because being physically fit and not overweight can improve breathing, decrease the frequency of having asthma symptoms, and reduce asthma severity. Exercise regularly – at least 20 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week.
Asthma should not stop an individual from being an athlete: here are world class athletes who have asthma: * Evelyn Ashford (runner) * Amy Van Dyken (swimmer) * Dennis Rodman (basketball) * John Powell (track & field) * Jackie Joyner-Kersee (track & field) In the recent Olympics, over 25 people with asthma won gold medals. What are some good sports activities for people with asthma?
·
Swimming is one of the best exercises · Football, baseball, volleyball, and martial arts are usually better tolerated than other sports that requires continuous running, such as soccer. To PREVENT an exercise-induced asthma attack, follow these steps: 1. About 15-20 minutes BEFORE starting exercise, take 2 puffs of albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), pirbuterol (Maxair), cromolyn (Intal), or nedocromil (Tilade). If it is a last minute decision to exercise, you should still take your medication just before starting exercising. 2. Make sure you warm up with stretching activities and gradually increase the exercise. 3. Avoid exercising in cold or dry air. Try to exercise indoors during the winter. 4. Avoid exercising on high ozone days or in areas with high levels or air pollution. 5. Try to breathe through your nose during the exercise. If your nose is stuffy, use nose spray before starting exercise. If you experience exercise-induced asthma symptoms frequently, talk to your doctor about taking a long-term control medication on a daily basis, or adjust your controller medicine. If you start wheezing or coughing while exercising, 1. STOP! You should never “keep going” or “work through it.” 2. Take your quick-relief medicine; 2 puffs of albuterol or pirbuterol through a spacer. 3. If you recover QUICKLY, you can continue after a brief rest. Pediatric Allergy and
|
| Home | Handout Index |
AsthmaCenter.us