What is Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)?

Posted on July 2, 2008 in Lastest News

If you are getting frequent attacks of asthma while doing aerobics or jogging, do not panic. You might be suffering from what other 20% of the athletes suffered during 1984 Olympics. Yes, if it gives you any consolation! Even some of you, who do not have any previous history of asthma may be silently suffering from this disease, unknown to you. Dr. William Ziering, MD, says, “In the general population now, one in ten people is thought to have it.”

Sports Responsible for Exercise-Induced Asthma :
Those sports and games that require long hours of physical activity particularly in cold conditions resulting in physical exhaustion are more likely to cause Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA). These sports are long-distance running, basketball, hockey (both ice and field), cross-country skiing, soccer etc. Besides these, there are other sports that are less likely to develop Exercise-Induced Asthma. Few names of such sports are-hiking, walking, swimming, playing golfs, volleyball, wrestling etc.

Top 10 Ways to Control Exercise-Induced Asthma:
If you dislike having to do away with meeting your fitness goal, here are the 10 steps for you to follow as soon as you detect symptoms of exericse-induced asthma:

Consult your physician immediately and follow the medications and take them exactly according to his directives. Also, changing inhalers or changing the dosage without consulting your doctor may prove fatal. The same precaution must be followed before taking herbs or other supplements, even if they are considered ‘natural’.

Avoid taking cough medicines because it does not help asthma and in addition, it has its side-effects.

Avoid taking aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen because such drugs aggravate Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA).

Before doing exercise take your medications and keep it always near you incase you experience sudden bouts of asthma while doing exercise.

Instead of a cool covered environment, try to do exercise in a warm humid or atleast semi-covered environment, so that there is atleast some flow of natural air around you.

Always practice breathing through your nose instead of using mouth. Nose breathing makes the air that you inhale remain warm and humid as opposed to mouth breathing which makes your throat dry and cold.

Keep yourself hydrated so that mucus does not form and block your air passage.

If you have to do indoor exercises or have to do exercise in cool dry weather, wearing a mask or a scarf on your mouth or nose will help you stay fit. This will also help stop entry of any other allergens or pollutants into your system.

Prior to doing exercise, always do a proper reasonable-intensity warmup. This is more likely to keep you safe for having possible attacks of EIA for around 8 hours(refractory period).

While doing exercise, make it a point to gradually build up your tolerance for exercise instead of pushing yourself to the limit.

Whatever you do, do not panic. Try to keep your head cool (though it is really difficult) and when you experience breathlessness, consult your doctor. On your part, try to accept your condition and find solutions to tackle the situation. This is the best way to deal with EIA.

Comments

2 Responses to “What is Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)?”

anil kumar Says:
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:53 am

your had given good suggestion,

i would like to add few more:
avoid intake of heavy food especially fat-rich and spicy food, they worsen the conditions,
the conditions could be greatly improved with intake of plenty of raw vegetables and fruits,

Catherine Browne, L.Ac., MH, Dipl.Ac. Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:28 pm

These are great suggestions; there are also herbs that will strengthen the lungs such as mullein and elecampaine that will prevent attacks in the future.

What is Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)?

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2 Responses to “What is Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)?”

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