Asthma — if you suffer from it, then you know how distressing it can be. Allergies, irritants, weather conditions, or exercise can bring on an asthma attack. However, in this day and age, you don’t have to give up staying fit just to avoid an asthma attack. In fact, according to a news release from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) there are quite a few Olympic athletes who suffer from exercise-induced asthma (EIA) — but they don’t let it slow them down.
Asthma is a condition that causes the air passages to become inflamed, which leads to the airways narrowing temporarily. An asthma attack is a very scary thing. An attack is characterized by coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. When brought on by the temperature and humidity changes related to exercise, it’s enough to make you want to swear off physical activity for good.
While EIA is more common in children, it’s still a problem for many adults. But it doesn’t have to stop you from staying active. After all, it hasn’t stopped many devoted athletes. According to the AAAAI’s sports medicine committee, 20% of highly competitive athletes have EIA. Even more surprising is that one in every six athletes competing in this year’s Winter Olympics are doing so in spite of his/her EIA.
Now, that’s dedication! You don’t have to go so far as competing at the Olympics, but you shouldn’t allow EIA to interfere with your level of fitness. As we all know, exercise is an extremely important component of good health. It helps you reduce your risk for an endless list of diseases — with heart disease being the most prevalent.
If you suffer from EIA, it’s best to stick to a list of AAAAI- approved activities, such as walking, swimming, downhill skiing, leisurely cycling, golf, baseball, and other sports that don’t require prolonged exertion. It’s also suggested that you cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or surgical mask in cold weather. This will help warm up the air you breathe in, thus reducing your risk of symptoms.
If you’ve been diagnosed with EIA, you should check with your doctor before taking on any new forms of physical activity. Most likely, you’ve been prescribed an inhaler, which you should carry with you at all times, especially when exercising. If you haven’t been diagnosed, but experience the aforementioned symptoms related to EIA, you should see your doctor right away. These symptoms can be indicative of other problems as well.
The most important thing to take away from all of this is that if an athlete suffering from EIA can make it all the way to the Olympics, then you can add a simple activity such as a daily swim to your life.
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