Do you find yourself short of breath even when you exercise? Let's talk about exercise-induced asthma!

Do you sometimes find yourself suddenly short of breath after a long run or a good workout ? Does your chest feel tight? If so, you may have exercise-induced asthma . Don't worry, this is something that happens to many people. Let's talk about it in more detail .

What is Exercise-Induced Asthma?

Simply put, some people's asthma symptoms may occur when they exercise if their asthma is not well controlled. However, for others, asthma symptoms only occur during or after exercise. That's what we call exercise-induced asthma, or as doctors call it (Exercise-Induced Asthma - EIA) . It is sometimes also called (Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction) .

What happens when you exercise is that your airways suddenly narrow. In medicine, we call this bronchoconstriction . This makes it difficult for air to get into the lungs , making it very difficult to breathe.

What symptoms does someone with EIA show?

Now let's see what symptoms to look for if you suspect you have something like this.

• Do you experience chest tightness, chest pain, coughing, or difficulty breathing, either during or after exercise?
• Do you feel tired quickly, either during or after exercising?
• Do you get a cough after coming home from playing or doing outdoor activities?
• Can't you run continuously for more than a few minutes? Does that mean you feel like stopping after a short run?

Typically, for someone with exercise-induced asthma, these symptoms begin about 5 to 10 minutes after starting to exercise. However, for some people, symptoms occur only after they have finished exercising. These symptoms usually peak 5 to 10 minutes after stopping exercise. It may take an hour or more for them to completely subside.

If you think you have these symptoms, first tell your parents. Then you should definitely see a doctor.

Why is this EIA occurring? What are the reasons?

Okay, now let's see why this happens and what are the reasons for this. In fact, the reasons for these symptoms to appear when exercising can vary from person to person.

The main cause for many people is breathing cold, dry air.. Imagine you are playing outside on a cold day. This situation can be even worse. Because when we exercise hard and play, we breathe very quickly, not deeply, and often through our mouths. What happens is that the air that we breathe through our noses loses the warmth and moisture that the air that goes into our lungs receives when we breathe through our noses.

Sometimes, even if the air is warm, polluted, or filled with things like pollen , people with EIA can get symptoms. Others, like those who are sensitive to chlorine vapors in a swimming pool, may also get symptoms.

How does a doctor accurately diagnose EIA?

To determine if you have EIA, a doctor will first ask about your medical history . This means things like your past illnesses and family history. Then the doctor will examine you.

Next, you may be asked to run on a treadmill for 6 to 8 minutes , or run outside, or do the same activity that caused your symptoms. Then, the doctor will watch how you breathe. Sometimes, special tests may be done to check your lung function.

Some people with EIA think that their shortness of breath is due to their lack of ' fitness ', that is, poor physical health . However, a person with low physical fitness can breathe normally again after a short period of exercise. However, for someone with EIA, it can take up to an hour to fully recover. That's the difference.

How to manage the EIA situation? What can be done about it?

The most important way to manage EIA, that is, prevent symptoms from occurring, is to keep your asthma under control, even when you are not exercising. This includes avoiding triggers, and taking your asthma medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

For someone who knows that asthma symptoms usually occur during exercise, a doctor will often recommend that they take medication before exercising or before becoming very active. Two main types of medication are used to prevent asthma symptoms during exercise:

1. Bronchodilators : These areBronchodilators are medicines that quickly relax the muscles around your airways and widen them. When taken before exercise, they help prevent your airways from narrowing as a result of exercise. Bronchodilators also help provide quick relief when symptoms flare up. That's why they're also called 'quick-relief medicines', 'rescue medicines', or 'fast-acting medicines.' The inhaler you use may be one of these types.

2. Anti-inflammatory medicines : These medicines work over time to reduce swelling and inflammation in the airways . This prevents the airways from swelling and producing more mucus. This reduces the amount of stuff that gets stuck in your airways. These medicines usually need to be taken every day, even when you are feeling well and have no symptoms. That's why they are also called 'controller medicines', 'maintenance medicines' or 'long-term control medicines' . For some people, doctors recommend a combination inhaler that combines these anti-inflammatory medicines with the previously mentioned bronchodilators . It can be used before exercise to prevent symptoms.

The most important thing is that if you take medication before exercising and have difficulty breathing while exercising, you should tell your doctor. He or she may tell you to take medication if you are not already taking it regularly, or he or she may be able to adjust the dosage of your medication to help you manage the condition better.

How can I live well with exercise-induced asthma (EIA)?

In fact, exercise is good for everyone. The same goes for people with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) . In addition to keeping you healthy and fit, exercise can strengthen the breathing muscles in your chest and improve lung function.

So, to stay active while controlling your asthma symptoms, follow your doctor's asthma action plan . When your asthma is well-controlled, people with asthma can do anything their peers can do. In fact, many Olympic athletes have EIA. But it hasn't stopped them from competing or winning medals!

Here are some tips to help you:

• Use your prescribed asthma medication (inhaler) about 15-30 minutes before exercising.
• To avoid chest tightness, do a good warm-up before exercising.This can include walking for 5-10 minutes, doing other slow activities, or doing stretching exercises.
• Try to breathe through your nose as much as possible when exercising.
• If you find it helpful, take short breaks during exercise.
• If you feel symptoms starting, slow down your exercise. If symptoms worsen, stop exercising and take some medication . Never 'play through' your symptoms. It can be dangerous and can even cause a severe flare-up.
• It's best to avoid exercising outdoors on very cold days . If you absolutely must exercise in the cold, it's helpful to wear a ski mask or scarf that covers your mouth and nose.
• If you are sensitive to air pollution or pollen , you can exercise indoors on days when the air quality is low and on days when the pollen count is high.
• After exercising, do a cool-down to compensate for the sudden change in air temperature in your lungs.

Always keep your asthma medication, especially your inhaler, within easy reach. It's also a good idea to keep a spare inhaler. Also, don't forget to check your inhaler regularly to see if it's out of medication.

Final Take-Home Message

Okay, so from what we've discussed, I hope you've gained a better understanding of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) .

The most important thing is that if you have these symptoms, don't be afraid or embarrassed to see a doctor and get advice. Then you can know exactly what to do and how to use the medication.

Remember, EIA is not something that should stop your exercise dreams. If managed properly, you can live an active, healthy life like everyone else. Talk to your doctor and come up with a plan that works for you. Then you too can play, run, jump, and exercise without fear! Got it?

Exercise, Asthma, Breathing Difficulty, Exercise-Induced Asthma, EIA, Bronchodilators, Inhaler