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