Asthma and Exercise CAN Go Together
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways in the lungs. People who have asthma
have sensitive, or twitchy airways that react to certain triggers. This makes
the airways swell up, produce extra mucus and tighten, which causes symptoms
like coughing and wheezing. Common triggers for asthma include dust, pet dander,
weather conditions, tobacco smoke and exercise. About a half million people
in Michigan have asthma, including more than 130,000 children – and it's
on the rise.
Some people have asthma that is triggered only by exercise (exercise-induced
asthma, or EIA). Just as with other asthma triggers, a person who is triggered
into an asthma attack by exercise has airways that narrow and tighten after
he or she begins exercising, and symptoms of EIA can be much worse with seasonal
allergies. The symptoms usually start within five to ten minutes after exercise,
and may last as long as 30 minutes. Fast, hard breathing, wheezing and a tight
chest are signs of an asthma attack. People with EIA may also have extra mucus
in their lungs that makes them cough during an attack. An asthma attack can
be very serious and scary, and in rare cases, deadly. If people with EIA don't
get treatment, they will often limit themselves from taking part in physical
activities.
No matter what triggers asthma, symptoms can almost always be prevented. Some
people avoid the symptoms by keeping their asthma under control with their
regular asthma medicines. Others take certain inhaled asthma medicines before
they exercise. Many famous athletes, like Amy VanDyken (Olympic gold medalist
in swimming) and Jerome Bettis (Pittsburgh Steelers) have asthma and are at
the top of their game. People with asthma can work with their doctor to make
an Asthma Action/Management Plan that includes ways to control triggers and
treat symptoms, so they can stay active.
The Asthma Initiative of Michigan (AIM), has launched a Web site: GetAsthmaHelp.org
to help people affected by asthma get the information they need. For people
without Internet access, there is an asthma information line: 1-866-EZ LUNGS
(395-8647).
— American Lung Association of Michigan