Up to 85% of asthmatics patients have symptoms of wheezing during or after exercise. Moreover, many patients diagnosed with allergies or asthma have family allergy history and bronchospasm. Bronchospasm or a bronchial spasm is a sudden constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchioles. Bronchospasm is one of the condition or tightness of the airways caused by exercise. Other symptoms of bronchospasm may include high heart rate, coughing, abdominal pain and chest tightness that occur five to ten minutes after exercise.
For many years, the inability to participate in athletic programs and / or recreational sports has been an obstacle for children and adults with asthma. It was thought that asthmatics person could not and should not take part in team sports and any strenuous activities. Today, with proper screening and treatment, those afflicted with asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm can do almost any kind of exercise, which is beneficial for physical health, as well as their emotional well being.
How Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm Occur?
The outdoor exercise in cold and low humidity (dry air) tends to worsen the symptoms of asthma as it is believed that both factors increase the heat loss from the airways. Nasal obstruction worsens exercise-induced asthma as inspired air is not moist and warmed by the nose. Environmental pollutants (like sulfur dioxide), high concentrations of pollens and viral infections of the respiratory increase the likelihood and severity of exercise-induced wheezing.
Activities That Cause Wheezing
In general, exercises or sports that are likely to trigger more series of bronchospasm are those that require intense physical activity at moderate periods of time and mainly in open environments (such as basketball, tennis, racquetball, racing middle course, cycling races, etc), however, slow and continuous exercise, with progressive increase of physical effort (aerobic), are less likely to cause problems (swimming, hiking, jogging, low impact aerobics, long distance running, etc.).
It is possible, nevertheless, to achieve a “tolerance” of the bronchial system in safety measure in most sports, with techniques of “warming” appropriately before performing exercise. It is also depend on the intense of the exercise should be individually tailored, supervised by an experienced trainer.
Examinations Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm
To properly diagnose this problem, the specialist should be informed with an adequate medical history. The history shoud detail the type of symptoms and variables inherent to the exercise, as well as special breathing tests performed with instruments to measure air flow and lung capacity (spirometry) both at rest (without symptoms) and after undergoing various types and times of exercise.
Sometimes asthma can be diagnosed differently, even in the absence of apparent symptoms.
Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm Treatment
Based on the degree of reactivity to exercise, doctors and specialist must make a careful selection of the type of exercise or sport that suits you and proper planning how.
Most patients with asthma or exercise-induced bronchospasm benefit and should be treated with appropriate drugs before starting the exercise, enabling them to participate in any activity they choose.
Swimming is often considered the sport of choice for asthmatics and those with a tendency toward bronchospasm per year due to its many positive factors: a warm, humid, and generally available throughout the year. Apparently, also the horizontal position helps to mobilize mucus from the bottom of the lungs, it also helps tone the upper body muscles.
Other activities recommended for asthmatics include sports that involve the use of short bursts and not very frequent for energy, such as baseball, karate, wrestling, track and field races short distance, golf, and gymnastics.
Events in cold weather (such as skiing and ice hockey) or ongoing activities without rest (as basketball, field hockey or football) are more likely to induce bronchospasm in the airways. However, many asthmatics have found that with proper training and medical care, may excel as runners or even like basketball players. There is a long list of asthmatics who have excelled in all sports, even making records and Olympic medals.
Drugs that can be used before exercise to prevent bronchospasm include: salbutamol, metaproterenol, terbutaline, cromolyn, nedocromil and theophylline. However, it is very important for all patients with exercise-induced asthma that were made at rest breathing tests to rule out the possibility that chronic asthma.
Other Useful Tips for Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm Patients
Warm-up exercises before having exercises are very important because they may induce tolerance to bronchospasm in this type of people. However, avoid or reduce the exercise when they are viral diseases, when levels of pollen (pollen allergy seasons) and air pollution are high or when temperatures are very low.
One technique that often helps reduce clogging of the airways is knit (squint) lips breathing during heating and during the exercise itself.
For years, it has been considered as an asthmatic patient unable to participate in athletic programs and / or recreational sports, which has been an obstacle for adults and children with asthma. Today, with proper screening and treatment, those affected with asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm can do virtually any type of exercise, which usually results in better physical and emotional health.
Contact your Allergist or physician and discuss with them about your exercise induced asthma. They can give you more information about asthma bronchospasm or exercise-induced asthma
