To have a healthy mind and body, we need to have some kind of regular physical activity to keep your health in check. There are many reasons why we need to exercise. For one, we need to have an exercise to aid in weight loss. Regular exercise can also help in better heart health and strengthen our bones and muscles. It can also help in making us feel and look better than our actual age.
However, there are some people who dread exercise not because they do not like getting sweaty. Rather, it is because of the occurrence of exercise-induced asthma. This situation occurs when a person engages in certain physical activities and then experience difficulty in breathing. If you are one of those who experience exercise-induced asthma, you should consult an allergy doctor immediately.
What is exercise-induced asthma?
Also known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), exercise-induced asthma can limit one’s physical capabilities. Like any other type of asthma, it can restrict one’s breathing that can cause complications if left untreated. It occurs when there is an obstruction in airflow, especially during exercise.
EIB does not occur immediately when you begin exercising. In fact, it usually manifests itself a couple of minutes after starting exercise and may begin to get worse about 5 minutes after you stop exercising. Some even experience another “wave” of EIB 12 hours after the last exercise. Once you feel breathing difficulties, it might be a good idea to visit an asthma doctor to help manage your condition.
What triggers exercise-induced asthma?
Contrary to popular belief, EIB does not happen due to exercise itself. Rather, it can be triggered by several factors. We tend to breathe harder, faster, and deeper when we do any intense physical activities.
Also, we tend to breathe more through the mouth when we exercise. In effect, breathing through the mouth can make the air cooler and dryer. In return, the cooler and dryer air can trigger bronchoconstriction or narrowing of the airways. Apparently, EIB can be more likely to be triggered when you are doing physical activities with dry and cold air.
In addition, EIB can also be triggered by other factors such as pollution (smoke and fumes), pollen and dust, or colds. EIB can be more likely to occur if you have a history of asthma that runs through your family. In such cases, you should get asthma treatments to avoid further complications that can worsen your condition.
Symptoms and treatment
If you experience the following symptoms, you need to consult an allergist specialist for proper treatment. If left untreated, the symptoms can last for about an hour or so. It can also lead to worse complications if you do not visit an allergy physician immediately. You should look out for the following symptoms if you think you’re having an EIB attack:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Fatigue especially after exercising
- Chest pain or tightness
- Coughing/wheezing
- Poor physical performance
People with a history of asthma and even professional athletes can be prone to EIB. Likewise, frequent exposure to dry and cold air, pollution, intense physical activities, and even chlorine from swimming pools can trigger EIB as well. If you are already struggling to breathe and no signs of improvement even using an inhaler, it is best to rush to the nearest allergy clinic immediately.
However, it doesn’t mean that you are already doomed not doing any kind of exercise anymore. After all, exercise is still one of the best ways to become healthy and free from certain diseases. However, you need to consider your choices when it comes to physical activities especially if you are prone to EIB.
For example, you can do some jogging or a relaxing walk instead of doing long-distance running. You can also engage in other sports and exercises that won’t take a toll on your breathing such as golf, gymnastics, or yoga. However, you can still do other intense physical activities just as long as you get the go-signal from an allergy specialist.
Keeping the mind and body healthy
Suffering from EIB does not mean you cannot do any physical activities anymore. It’s just a matter of choosing the right kind of exercise that won’t cause stress in your breathing. After all, we all need to have some kind of physical activity to be healthy physically and mentally. If you are experiencing the abovementioned symptoms of EIB, you should visit the best allergist in Germantown MD for proper treatment.