Exercise induced asthma: 8 tips to handle broncho problem
Exercise induced asthma is a condition of respiratory difficulty (broncho-constriction) that lasts several minutes. It is triggered by aerobic exercise. Its causes include medical conditions, environmental factors, and medications.
Exercise-induced asthma
Symptoms of exercise-induced asthma during or following exercise include chest tightness or pain, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, underperformance or poor performance on the field, fatigue and prolonged recovery time. Dr Rajesh Gupta, Additional Director, Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, NOIDA shares some steps to manage this problem. Eight steps to manage Exercise Induced Asthma:
Tip 1 to Manage Exercise Induced Asthma
Sports selection can be helpful in guiding an athlete toward the performance of sports in environments that are less likely to cause bronchospasm. A sport with less prolonged aerobic demands (e.g. sprinting, weight lifting, baseball, football) is better tolerated by affected athletes. (Photo: Reuters)
Tip 2 to Manage Exercise Induced Asthma
Choose a time or place to exercise, preferably when the air is warmer and the humidity is higher. An indoor gym, changing from running to swimming automatically increases the humidity of the environment. (Photo: Pixabay)
Tip 3 to Manage Exercise Induced Asthma
Altering breathing techniques from predominant mouth breathing to nasal breathing can result in less bronchospasm during the performance of an activity because the inhaled air is both warmed and humidified. If you are mouth breathing; breath through a scarf, handkerchief or mask. (Photo: Pixabay)
Tip 4 to Manage Exercise Induced Asthma
Initiate a 15-30 minute warm-up, followed by a 15-minute rest period. (Photo: Pixabay)
Tip 5 to Manage Exercise Induced Asthma
Administer preventive medication (short-acting ß2 -agonist, long-acting ß2 -agonists, mast cell stabilizers and Antileukotriene drugs) 15-30 minutes before the commencement of the exercise or competition. (Photo: Pixabay)
Tip 6 to Manage Exercise Induced Asthma
Educate the patient and coaching staff to recognise the symptoms early. (Photo: Pixabay)
Tip 7 to Manage Exercise Induced Asthma
The first step of treatment of an acute attack of Exercise Induced Asthma includes immediately removing the patient from competition or play. The patient needs to be providedimmediate administration of rapid onset, short-acting ß2 -agonist via a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) using a Spacer device. If the patient`s response is not satisfactory, transportation to an emergency facility is initiated, because the EIA attack may escalate. (Photo: Pixabay)
Tip 8 to Manage Exercise Induced Asthma
Encourage to continue the exercise with the reassurance that proper treatment can allow an unhampered performance in case of most individuals.(Photo: Pixabay)