Exercise induced asthma is a disorder of difficulty in breathing brought on by aerobic type exercise. The symptoms of exercise induced asthma are similar to those of allergic asthma. The condition is estimated to affect approximately 12-15% of the population. Exercise induced asthma is more common in cold or winter weather, with reported rates as high as 50% in sports such as cross country skiing, figure skating, or ice hockey. The condition involves constriction of the lower airways in the lungs. This constriction results in restricted flow of air into and out of the lungs, resulting in typical asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough and wheezing.
Symptoms of Exercise Induced Asthma
A comprehensive list of symptoms that may be seen in exercise induced asthma include:
- Chest tightness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Cough.
- Wheezing.
- Underperformance on the field.
- Fatigue.
- Prolonged recovery time.
Causes of Exercise Induced Asthma
While the root cause of exercise induced asthma is unknown, there are many factors that can increase the risk of having an attack during exercise. These factors can be divided into medical, environmental and medication related causes.
- Medical factors
- Excessive history of allergies, with poor control.
- Poorly controlled allergic asthma.
- Viral upper respiratory infection at the time of exercise.
- Environmental
- Excessively high levels of pollen or other allergens.
- Excessively high levels of pollution in the air.
- Certain chemicals used in cleaning or maintaining athletic facilities, such as chlorine in pools, insecticides, fertilizers and paint.
- Medications
- Aspirin.
- Ibuprofen.
- Diuretics.
Treatment for attacks of exercise induced asthma is generally the same as asthma from other causes. Athletes suspected of suffering from acute exercised induced asthma should immediately be removed from the field of play. If there is a physician on the sidelines, or if the athlete is a known asthmatic carrying his or her medications, asthma medication, typically albuterol, should be delivered via inhaler. If the result treatment by the inhaler is not satisfactory, emergency procedures should be initiated, and the athlete should be transported to an acute care facility or hospital emergency room immediately.
Prevention of Exercise Induced Asthma Attacks
- Selection of an appropriate sport can help prevent attacks of exercise induced asthma. By choosing sports played in warmer, more humid conditions, the athlete may be able to avoid attacks. For example, swimming is less likely to induce an asthma attack. Sports that rely less on prolonged aerobic activity, such as baseball, football or sprinting, are less likely to provoke attacks than sports with a heavy aerobic component, such as long distance running.
- Coordinating administration of preventative medication can help the athlete avoid attacks as well. Appropriate medication should be administered about 15 minutes after the athlete warms up, and 15-30 minutes before beginning competition.
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