Exercise-induced asthma

Wheezing - exercise-induced; Reactive airway disease - exercise

Having asthma symptoms when you exercise does not mean you cannot or should not exercise. But be aware of your EIA triggers.

Cold or dry air may trigger your asthma symptoms. If you do exercise in cold or dry air:

• Breathe through your nose.
• Wear a scarf or mask over your mouth.

DO NOT exercise when the air is polluted. DO NOT exercise near fields or lawns that have just been mowed.

Warm up before you exercise, and cool down afterward:

• To warm up, walk or do your exercise activity slowly before you speed up.
• The longer you warm up, the better.
• To cool down, walk or do your exercise activity slowly for several minutes.

Some kinds of exercise may be less likely to trigger asthma symptoms than others.

• Swimming is a good sport for people with EIA. The warm, moist air helps keep asthma symptoms away.
• Football, baseball, and other sports with periods when you do not move fast are less likely to trigger your asthma symptoms.

Activities that keep you moving fast all the time are more likely to trigger asthma symptoms, such as running, basketball, or soccer.

Take your short-acting, or quick-relief, inhaled medicines before you exercise.

• Take them 10 to 15 minutes before exercise.
• They can help for up to 4 hours.

Long-acting, inhaled medicines may also help.

• Use them at least 30 minutes before exercise.
• They can help for up to 12 hours. Children can take this medicine before school, and it will help for the whole day.
• Be aware that using this kind of medicine every day before exercise will make it less effective over time.

Follow your doctor's advice on which medicines to use and when.