Ways To Avoid Exercise-Related Symptoms Of Asthma

There are many ways to avoid exercise-related symptoms of asthma:

* Avoid exercising where air pollution is high or in cold, dry air.

* Warm up with 15 minutes or so of low-intensity walking and moderate stretching.

* Be sure to include a 15- to 20-minute cool-down interlude.

* You should be able to carry on a conversation throughout your workout. To improve cardio-respiratory fitness, begin with 20 to 30 minutes of low-intensity aerobic activity three to five times per week.

* Developing cardio-respiratory fitness will make you less likely to tire. Asthma attacks place important stress on the body. Fatigue is common, making it even more difficult to breath. This is why steady, gradual introduction to exercise is important.

* Always be ready in the event that symptoms begin to develop, as severe asthma episodes can be life-threatening. For example, if an inhaler is prescribed, carry it with you and use it when needed. If symptoms still develop, stop the activity and notify your doctor; don't ignore or try to push through them. To make the most of your workouts and keep away from becoming stressed or bored, choose activities you enjoy. He may recommend a change in medication, varying the intensity of your workout or substituting one activity for another.

* Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol, these are diuretics, which flush even more water out of the system. Dehydration causes airways in the lungs to constrict and make breathing more difficult. Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise. Studies have shown that this is true even if the individual is not exercising. If you wait until you're thirsty, your body is already lacking necessary fluids. Pure water is best.

* Exercises that involve short bursts of activity with rest in between can be particularly suitable. Different types of exercise may worsen or improve symptoms of asthma. For example, swimming is considered safer for people with asthma because it usually causes the least amount of chest tightness, and outdoor running is often worse than indoor running. That for some people, swimming in a chlorinated pool can cause problems.

It is estimated that between 12 million and 15 million people in America have asthma, a chronic lung disease that causes episodes of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. It can occur at any age and seems to run in families.

Although its symptoms are controllable, it is not curable. Triggers for asthma can vary from one person to the other and may include dust, smoke, animal dander, perfumes, cleaning products, mold, pollen and stress. It was once thought that physical activity should be discouraged if you had asthma, but we know now that this is not the case. If you have asthma, check with your doctor before you begin an exercise program. With the right precautions, exercise is not only considered safe, but often is encouraged as part of treatment.

Although there is no cure for asthma, it can be controlled with proper treatment. Managing symptoms may include using an inhaler or other medicine, as well as identifying and avoiding factors that may trigger an episode. Learning as much as you can about this disease gives you control and a greater chance of living an active life.

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