People with asthma who get symptoms during
exercise shouldn't be deterred from staying active, experts
say.
After all, exercise-induced asthma affects as many as
20 percent of highly competitive athletes and one in every
six athletes competing in this month's
Winter Olympics.
"People who have exercise-induced asthma should
not stop exercising," Dr. Timothy J. Craig, chairman
of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's
sports medicine committee, said in a prepared statement.
"Exercise is good for all people, including those
with asthma. Certain activities are better for people
suffering from exercise-induced asthma, although the type
and duration of activities varies with each individual."
Exercise-induced asthma is caused by airways that are
overly sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and
humidity. It can be especially apparent during the winter,
when the air is colder and drier. People with the condition
experience breathing problems within five to 20 minutes
after exercising. Symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness,
coughing, chest pain, and prolonged or unexpected shortness
of breath.
Sports less likely to trigger asthmatic symptoms are
those that require short bursts of energy, such as baseball,
football, golf, gymnastics, short-duration track and field
events, surfing, and wrestling. Walking, easy cycling,
hiking and downhill skiing are also less likely to trigger
exercise-induced asthma, the AAAAI experts said. In cold
weather, wearing a scarf or surgical mask warms inhaled
air and helps reduce the risk of symptoms, Craig said.
Swimming is another good sport for people with asthma.
It features a warm, humid environment, and the horizontal
position can help move mucus from the bottom of the lungs.
With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, all people
with exercise-induced asthma should be able to exercise
to their full ability, Craig said.
