Physical activity can trigger symptoms in most people with asthma. Symptoms may occur either during or right after being active. But regular physical activity is good for all of us. In fact, doctors recommend that most people, including people with asthma, get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.
The good news is that if you have good control of your asthma, exercise should not be a problem for you. In fact, most people with asthma should be able to participate in any physical activity they like without having asthma symptoms.
Here are some things you can do to prevent or reduce exercise-induced asthma:
• Ask your doctor about using a short-acting beta2-agonist inhaler about
15 minutes before exercise. This usually can prevent and control exercise induced
asthma. You can also use this medicine to relieve symptoms during
and after exercise. But remember to let your doctor know if you have to use
it often during or after exercise. It may be a sign that you need to start taking
daily long-term control medicine or to increase your dose.
Asthma and Exercise
Another way to monitor your symptoms is with a peak flow
meter. This is a hand-held device that shows how well air moves
out of your lungs. Measuring your peak flow can help you tell
how well your asthma is controlled. It can also alert you to an
oncoming attack hours or even days before you feel symptoms.
And during an attack, it can help tell you how bad the attack is
and if your medicine is working.
• Try warming-up for about 10 minutes before exercise. A long warmup may
help you handle continuous exercise without having to stop repeatedly to take
more medicine. Good ways to warm up include walking, doing flexibility exercises,
or trying other low-intensity activities.
• Try to avoid your other asthma triggers while exercising. For example, if cold,
dry air triggers your asthma, wear a scarf or cold air mask when exercising
outdoors in winter.
• If you have been having mild asthma symptoms, consider modifying the intensity
or length of the activity you do.
• Try exercising indoors when outside temperatures are extreme, or the ozone
level is high. The same is true if you are allergic, and the grass has recently
been mowed, or pollen counts are high.
• When first starting to be active, try increasing your level of activity gradually
over time.
Remember, asthma should not limit your participation or success in physical
activities—even vigorous activities like running for long periods of time or playing
basketball or soccer.