Exercise-Induced Asthma

Exercise-Induced Asthma Overview

Asthma is a chronic (long-term, ongoing) inflammation (irritation) of the breathing passages (bronchi) of the lungs. Asthma is characterized by sudden attacks or periods of bothersome or severe symptoms separated by periods of mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Asthma is an inflammatory reaction that is triggered by external factors or specific situations. When a person with asthma is exposed to one of his or her triggers, the inflammation worsens and symptoms ensue.

• The list of triggers is long and varied.
  
  
• Each individual with asthma has his or her own specific trigger or set of triggers.
  
  
• These triggers generally have something to do with the way we breathe or the condition of the atmosphere we breathe in.
  
  
• Triggers include contaminants in the air, such as smoke, pollution, vapors, dust, or other particles; respiratory infections, such as colds and flu (viruses); allergens in the air, such as molds, animal dander, and pollen; extremes of temperature or humidity; and emotional stress. 

Exercise is a common trigger of asthma attacks.

• Exercise can even induce an asthma attack in people who have no other triggers and do not experience asthma under any other circumstances.
  
  
• People with exercise-induced asthma are believed to be more than usually sensitive to changes in the temperature and humidity of the air.
  
  
• When you are at rest, you breathe through your nose, which serves to warm and humidify the air you breathe in to make it more like the air in the lungs.
  
  
• When you are exercising, you breathe through your mouth, and the air that hits your lungs is colder and drier. The contrast between the warm air in the lungs and the cold inhaled air can trigger an attack. 

Once the attack is triggered, the airways begin to swell (bronchospasm) and secrete large amounts of mucus.

• The swelling and extra mucus partially block or obstruct the airways. This makes it more difficult to push air out of your lungs (exhale).
  
  
• Because of this, asthma is referred to as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. 

Unlike other types of COPD, asthma is reversible. It cannot be cured, but it can be controlled by medication.

• With appropriate treatment, almost everyone with exercise-induced asthma can enjoy the mental and physical benefits of regular exercise.
  
  
• The large number of elite athletes who have asthma attests to the effectiveness of asthma medication.
  
  
• Whether you walk around your neighborhood or run marathons, asthma doesn't need to stop you from reaching your exercise goals.

Exercise-Induced Asthma Causes

Asthma has 2 components: the underlying chronic inflammation and the periodic attacks. We do not know for certain what causes the underlying inflammation. What we do know is that the tendency to have asthma runs in families and that some people are born with the tendency to have asthma.