Exercise Advice for People with Asthma

Many of us look for almost any reason to avoid exercise. But if you have asthma, your excuse is better than most.

Exercise can trigger tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing and other difficulties associated with asthma. When this occurs, it is known as exercise-induced asthma.

So, do you need to avoid exercise completely if you have asthma? Absolutely not. Exercise is an essential tool in keeping your asthma under control. It helps build lung power and strengthens breathing muscles in the chest.

Exercise is too important to your overall physical and mental well-being to let asthma stand in the way.

Developing an Exercise Plan

If exercise causes your asthma symptoms, you should address the problem. See your doctor. Two types of medications are available to help keep your airways open, making it easier to breathe during exercise. They are classified as either short-acting or long-acting drugs.

Your doctor may recommend that you keep a short-acting asthma medication with you whenever you exercise. Sometimes known as "rescue" medications, these drugs are designed to open your airways quickly when they suddenly constrict.

In some cases, short-acting medications also may be used as a preventive measure. For example, your doctor may direct you to use a short-acting inhaler to open your airways prior to a morning run. The dosage can be adjusted for better results if the medications initially fail to prevent symptoms.

You may also benefit from a different type of drug known as a long-acting or "controller" medication. These drugs work 24 hours a day to open the airways and help stop asthma symptoms before they start. Remember that controller medications will not be effective unless you take them regularly -- even when you are symptom-free.

Choosing the Right Activity

Choosing the right form of exercise can also help prevent symptom flare-ups. Activities that incorporate rest breaks are less likely to trigger symptoms. Long walks and short-distance cycling or running are good examples of stop-and-start activities that increase your fitness level while minimizing the risk of an asthma attack.

Other good activities include:

Swimming
Golf (if pollen is not a problem)
Hiking
Baseball
Gymnastics
Football

By contrast, long periods of extended exertion are more likely to cause breathing difficulties for people with asthma. Such activities include:

Basketball
Cross-country skiing
Hockey
Long-distance biking or running
Soccer

Cold weather sports in general may be worse for people with asthma because air is colder and drier in winter. Colder, drier air can irritate the air passages and provoke asthma attacks.

Tips for Better Breathing

No matter what form of exercise you choose, performing certain preventive measures can reduce your risk of triggering an asthma attack. Warming up is essential for all exercise and can be especially beneficial when asthma is a factor. Walking for 10 minutes can help prepare your body for a long jog. This makes it less likely that your chest muscles will suddenly seize up during the run.

Also, try to breathe through your nose (instead of your mouth) during exercise. This warms air before it enters the lungs, which helps prevent irritation.

Other tips to help prevent asthma symptoms during exercise include:

Exercising in warm, moist air, which is less likely to irritate the bronchial tubes than cold or very dry conditions
Avoid working out when pollen counts are high or the air is especially polluted
Wear a ski mask or scarf over your mouth and nose when exercising in cold weather
Cool down gradually after activity rather than coming to a sudden stop
Do not exercise if you have a cold or other respiratory infection

Asthma may challenge your ability to exercise, but making the right preparations can keep you active for many years to come.