Things to Know for Asthma Sufferers While They Work Out

By Rich Carroll:

It's possible for asthma sufferers to be able to carry out an exercise program. But just what will people with asthma have to be watchful of when exercising? The answer is: if you exhibit caution you can and should carry out nearly any exercise program. With appropriate treatment, almost everyone with asthma can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of regular exercise.

Asthma is the chronic inflammation of the air passages that lead to the lungs. Its characteristics are sudden attacks followed by periods of moderate or no symptoms at all. This inflammation will be triggered by external factors, and when a person with asthma becomes exposed to one of these triggers, the breathing passages become inflamed and the symptoms begin.

With exercise induced asthma, symptoms usually appear six to ten minutes after exercise begins, and is often worse in cold, dry conditions. If you have been up the previous night with asthma symptoms, it is best to go easier with your exercise routine the next day. Your doctor should be able to guide you best through your treatment of the condition, but it is imperative that you be proactive and understand the circumstances. You are the first line of defense against an asthma attack, so take your medication and know what you are going to do when you feel symptoms coming on.

Some facts to know when it comes specifically to exercise induced asthma:

1. When exercising, attempt to breathe through the nose. When you breathe through your mouth, air comes into your lungs that are colder and drier. An asthma attack can be triggered when this colder, drier air collides with the warm, moist air in the lungs. Breathing through the nose as much as possible will warm the air and cleanse it prior to hitting your lungs.

People with exercise induced asthma are thought to be more sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. Bikram Yoga helps to alleviate this by giving you an excellent exercise regimen in conditions that are high in humidity and temperature. After an initial breathing exercise, all breathing is to be done through the nose. You may want to look into it if you suffer from asthma.

2. Exercise induced asthma can attack people who have no other triggers and experience no asthma symptoms under any other circumstances.

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Common Causes of Asthma and Ways to Control It

By Margaret Le Monnier:

Asthma attacks may be triggered by various causes. When the body detects an irritant, the immune system immediately responds by releasing inflammatory substances to the area where the irritant is sensed. As a result swelling occurs and mucous is produced. When this occurs broncheo spasms result which cause severe breathing difficulties for asthma sufferers.

The local environment can be a big cause of asthma attacks. Bacteria and dust that exist where you live can become lung irritants. Some studies show that children who grow up spending most of their time indoors develop a weaker immune system compared to children who are encouraged by their parents to play in the open air. This makes them susceptible to bacteria and atmospheric particles found at home and elsewhere. Lower levels of resistance to outside pollutants then make them vulnerable to environmental dusts that can cause irritation and other complications.

Asthma may be developed because of an allergy. Common allergens that trigger asthma attacks include pollen, hair, animal dander, feathers, and molds. Diseases such as allergic rhinitis or hay fever may also trigger asthma. The severity of the attack largely depends on what allergen the patient has been exposed to. Food allergies may be a factor as well. Patients with asthma are highly advised to be careful with their diet because a food allergy has been known to trigger asthma attacks. Doctors recommend a diet wherein foods that usually cause allergy, like wheat, corn and dairy are omitted.

For women, there are two events in their life that can increase their body's sensitivity to asthma causes. The first of these is pregnancy. Amazingly, there have been studies that shown that mothers who are expecting baby girls have a higher tendency to exhibit asthma-type breathing problems compared to pregnant women who are expecting boys. The second is the menopause, where there is a connection between asthma and low levels of estrogen in the body. The development of asthma in this case often begins during perimenopause.

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