Exercise-induced asthma symptoms
How sports and exercise can affect asthma
Many people with asthma have trouble breathing during or after exercise.
1 Some people get symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness just a few minutes after they begin exercising. For others, these symptoms don't begin until they have finished exercising.
2
Activities and sports that involve a lot of running or aerobic activity – like soccer, biking, or hockey – can trigger asthma symptoms.
3 Being active in dry, cold air may make it more likely that you'll have exercise-induced asthma symptoms.
4 If you only experience
asthma symptoms when you exercise, you may have a condition called
exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB).
Many people with asthma avoid exercise and physical activity for fear of triggering their symptoms.
5 But a lack of physical activity can lead to other health problems, like obesity.
6 The good news is that people with asthma can still lead active lives.
Asthma medications like
ProAir® HFA can prevent breathing trouble during exercise or sports if taken 15-30 minutes before exercise.
4
Professional athletes with asthma7,8
Basketball players
- Dennis Rodman
- Dominique Wilkins
Soccer player
- Paul Scholes
Football players
- Emmitt Smith
- Art Monk
- Jerome Bettis
References
- Parsons, JP et al. Prevalence of Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm in a Cohort of Varsity College Athletes. Med Sci Sports Exercise. 2007;39:1487-92.
- NHLBI Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf. Accessed April 20, 2010.
- Parsons JP, Mastronarde JG. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in athletes. Chest. 2005;128(6):3966-3974.
- Sinha T, David AK. Recognition and management of exercise-induced bronchospasm. Am Fam Physician. 2003;67(4):769-774, 675.
- McComb JJR, Jumper CA, Williams JS, O'Rear VF. Recommendations for Participation in Sport Activities and Exercise for Persons with Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm. Hospital Physician. 2003;39(1):23-38.
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Obesity in children and teens. Facts for Families newsletter. 2008:No 79.
- Asthma All-Stars. Available at: http://www.breatheeasyplayhard.com/pg/jsp/general/asthmaallstars.jsp. Accessed March 23, 2011.
- Famous people with asthma | The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Available at: http://www.chop.edu/service/allergy/allergy-and-asthma-information/famous-people-with-asthma.html. Accessed March 23, 2011.
ProAir
® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Important Safety Information
If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use ProAir
® HFA, contact your doctor immediately. This may indicate either a worsening of your asthma or a reaction to the medication, which may rarely occur with the first use of a new canister of ProAir
® HFA. Either of these could be life-threatening.
What to tell your doctor before using ProAir
® HFA: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking – especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression – because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Side effects associated with ProAir
® HFA included headache, rapid heart beat, pain, dizziness, and irritation of the throat and nose.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.