What is Exercise-Induced Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition that many individuals suffer from. This medical condition has no known cure, but it has been established that an individual can effectively control asthma with the proper drug treatment therapy and self-care techniques. There are many types of asthma. Childhood asthma, asthma caused by various irritants, asthma caused by various types of allergies, and exercise-induced asthma. In this article, you will be introduced to exercise-induced asthma.
It is important to understand that a person who experiences exercise-induced asthma does not necessarily have to have asthma to experience this situation. However, exercise-induced asthma is quite common in individuals who do have basic asthma on a day-to-day basis. Normally, individuals who experience asthmatic symptoms after exercising are quite sensitive when it comes to temperature. These individuals often experience sickness and other complications with temperature and humidity fluctuations.
There are other causes that seem to be relevant to this form of asthma. However, it has been established that genetics plays a large role in the development of exercise-induced asthma. Those that have a family history of asthma, temperature sensitivity, allergies, and respiratory conditions are more likely to experience this form of respiratory complication than others that do not. Individuals who have a suppressed immune system often experience this form of asthma as well.
There are many sports and other exercises that are performed in weather that is cold. These include ice skating, hockey, running, soccer, skiing, and similar activities. Those people that participate in these activities are likely to experience the symptoms that are associated with exercise-induced asthma. Many other activities are likely to result in asthma attacks as well. These activities include swimming, gymnastics, walking, bicycling, football, wrestling, and similar sports.
There are a number of symptoms that may be present with the individual that is suffering from exercise-induced asthma. They include, but are not limited to:
- Tightness in the chest area, or around the sides of the chest
- Pain in the chest and surrounding areas
- Wheezing prior to, or after the onset of an asthmatic attack
- Various levels of coughing, from mild to severe
- Experiencing shortness in breathe
- Feeling extremely tired
- Feelings of anxiety or panic are quite often experienced when there is a shortness in breathe
- Many individuals may even experience fainting when experiencing an attack of exercise-induced asthma
If you suspect that you or even another member of your family suffers from exercise-induced asthma, it is imperative that medical attention is sought. Normally, a general family doctor can make the determination as to whether this condition is being experienced or not. If it is established that you are suffering from this form of asthma, an appropriate treatment will be prescribed. The most common type of treatment for this condition is the use of an inhaler.
In order to properly diagnose you with exercise-induced asthma, the medical professional will normally ask you a number of questions. These questions may include those that pertain to the medical history of your family, your medical history, and any symptoms that you have that may be associated with those that are common to exercise-induced asthma. In addition to this, there are many different medical tests that can be performed to determine if this type of asthma is being experienced.
The peak flow meter is a popular test when it comes to determining as to whether or not an individual is suffering from exercise-induced asthma. This device gauges how much air you can push out from your lungs. While this may be used to determine lung capacity in the doctor’s office, many individuals are issued a peak flow meter to gauge their lung capacity before, during, and after an exercise-induced asthma attack. This tool is a very important in determining the proper treatment for asthmatic symptoms associated with exercise.
Treatment for exercise-induced asthma hopes to accomplish many different things. The ultimate goal is to prevent the attacks that occur during exercise and when engaging in a number of other physical activities. The proper treatment will allow an individual to pursue their normal activities on a day-to-day basis. In addition to this, an individual who pursues treatment for exercise-induced asthma is ensuring that their lungs are kept as close to normal as possible. This is extremely important when it comes to controlling exercise-induced asthma attacks. The treatment for this condition also allows an individual to suffer from as little side-effects as possible.
If you suffer from exercise-induced asthma, it is imperative that you seek treatment as soon as possible. Self-care and drug treatment therapy has proven to be quite successful when it comes to the overall success of recovery. While this condition may not completely go away, the effects from this condition can be lessened. You do not have to suffer, there is help available.
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