How to Exercise with Asthma

Tips for managing your asthma symptoms while exercising.

If you have asthma, you may be reluctant to exercise because when you do, it triggers your symptoms. You may have to endure wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or chronic cough.

However, exercise is important for your overall health. And in fact, exercise can actually improve control of your asthma by strengthening respiratory muscles and helping to maintain a healthy weight.

The key is to figure out how to exercise safely, in a way that does not trigger serious asthma symptoms or an asthma attack. Here are some tips that will help.

Understand Why Exercising Causes Asthma Symptoms

Most of the time, you are probably breathing through your nose. This helps protect your lungs from irritation from cold, dry air and helps limit the amount of allergens that enter the lungs. But when you start to get that heart rate up with exercise, you start to breathe through your mouth. You lose the protection normally provided by your nose and asthma symptoms are more likely to be triggered.

Know Your Triggers

It is important to know what triggers your asthma so that you can avoid exercising when these triggers are present. For example, if your asthma worsens when it is cold out or when the pollen count is high, you can try to exercise indoors on these days.

Choose Your Exercise Wisely

Your exercise plan should always be tailored to your physical fitness and your level of asthma control. One of the best types of exercise for asthma sufferers is indoor swimming, because you will be in an environment with warm, humid air that is less likely to irritate your lungs even when you breathe through your mouth.

Low-impact exercises such as walking or leisurely hiking or biking are also good choices for people with asthma. If you prefer a team sport, opt for one requiring short bursts of activity, such as baseball, football, or sprinting. Sports requiring more endurance, such as soccer or basketball, should not be attempted until you are confident of your ability to exercise without triggering symptoms.

Warm Up and Cool Down

Sudden changes in activity level can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms. Warming up before you really start exercising vigorously and cooling down when you’re done can help prevent symptoms.

Always Carry Your Rescue Inhaler

You should always have your rescue inhaler with you when exercising. This ensures you will be able to quickly treat any sudden symptoms that develop.

Listen to Your Symptoms

If you develop asthma symptoms while exercising, stop and treat them. Do not try to power through them. If symptoms worsen or persist after you have stopped exercising, see your doctor for help.

Interested in Developing a Safe Exercise Plan?

If you would like to learn more about how you can exercise safely with asthma, the experienced doctors of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group are here to help. Call us today to make an appointment.