Exercise-Induced Asthma

Introduction

Many people enjoy exercise as a pastime. It is very rewarding, with benefits towards both physical and mental health. Exercising with friends is a great way to build stronger bonds as well. However, 12-15% of the population experiences exercised-induced asthma, and up to 90% of people diagnosed with asthma will suffer from exercise-induced asthma as well. Clearly avoiding exercise cannot be a good long term solution, but there are many alternatives and ways to work around exercise-induced asthma, which I will be discussing in this month’s post. 

What is exercise-induced asthma?

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), also known as exercise-induced asthma, is a condition where physical activity causes narrowing of airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. This occurs because while exercising, individuals tend to breathe cooler and drier air, leading to airways losing heat and moisture. This causes them to tighten, leading to asthmatic symptoms. EIB is common among individuals who have asthma, with studies showing that 40-90% of individuals who have asthma experience asthma in some way, shape, or form during light to moderate exercise. Even those without a formal diagnosis of asthma can get EIB, with up to 20% of the general population suffering from it. 

How to deal with EIB

Managing EIB comes in many different ways, shapes, and forms. It incorporates a broad variety of treatment options, ranging from preventive strategies to medical prescriptions. A good rule of thumb is to always warm up before partaking in lengthy physical activity. A simple warm-up consisting of 5-10 minutes of light walking, building up to a jog, and stretching to get blood flowing and to open up the airways is a great way to reduce the chance of an asthma attack during exercise. In colder climates, it is beneficial to wear a scarf or mask over your nose to warm up the air that you breathe and add moisture. 

Medications can also greatly help combat the symptoms associated with EIB. Albuterol, a common medication delivered through the airway can help relieve the symptoms of asthma quickly, and it is recommended that if one has asthma or suspect they have asthma, they carry it with them or have it in a very easy to access place in case of an unsuspecting attack. It is also important that one works with a doctor to determine if other prescription medications are necessary, especially if one has chronic EIB or asthma in general. Additionally, regularly attending checkups is important to assess the current state of one’s asthma, so that doctors can be well-informed and can develop the best treatment for one’s disease. 

Conclusion

Exercise-induced asthma can be scary to deal with at first, as it consistently leads to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath during exercise. However, with appropriate treatment and management, there are many ways to work around such illness, including but not limited to warming up, carrying an inhaler, and regularly attending checkups with one’s physician. 

References

1. Exercise-Induced Asthma. (2024, June 10). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4174-exercise-induced-asthma
2. James, J. (2024, July). What is Exercise Induced Asthma? Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. https://aafa.org/asthma/asthma-triggers-causes/exercise-induced-asthma/
3. Khajotia, R. (2008, April 30). Exercise-Induced Asthma: Fresh Insights and an Overview. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4267026/
4. Martin, C. (2025, March 17). 8 Tips for Exercising With Allergic Asthma. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/allergic-asthma-and-exercise-11694180