3 Exercise Guide for Asthma Sufferers
Asthma, both chronic and sports-triggered, can cause some symptoms that make exercise difficult and dangerous. If you have breath sounds, shortness of breath, coughing, or even chest pain, completing a run or tennis game is almost impossible. But what if you love sports and need activities to stay healthy?
How to keep yourself fit while asthma interferes with exercise?
Follow these steps:
First, talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of asthma while exercising, or if the symptoms you are experiencing do not stop. Your doctor may give you a drug taken regularly, a drug that works immediately, or both. You can also use a fast-acting medication if symptoms occur during exercise.
Then, have a sports plan that minimizes asthma. Consider the type of activity and conditions that are right for you. If you have asthma that is triggered by exercise, you are better off avoiding exercise when the air is cold and dry. You also need to be careful if the air quality is bad due to excessive pollution. In that case, replace the jog in the park into an indoor treadmill or cardio class until air quality improves. However, make sure the facilities you use have good ventilation and do not use bleach or harsh chemicals that can trigger your asthma symptoms.
Lastly, choose exercise well based on your symptoms. According to experts, swimming, walking or cycling are well done, because:
- Swimming is good for people with difficulty breathing, according to experts at the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. This is due to the humid and warm air as you swim. The humid air keeps the airways open so it makes it easier to breathe. However, be careful of chlorine that can trigger asthma.
- Walking or cycling is well done during supportive weather. While you may be worried about sports that require extra energy, such as soccer, do not just get rid of it without trying it first. According to Jonathan Parsons, MD, associate director of The Ohio State University Asthma Center, in fact, every sports activity has a risk that triggers asthma, and the risk level varies for each patient. Regardless of the type of sport you choose, including heating and cooling.
