Exercise-induced asthma

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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

There's no way to keep from getting exercise-induced asthma. But you can take steps to keep symptoms under control:

  • Warm up for 15 minutes before strenuous exercise.
  • Do your best to avoid colds and other respiratory infections. Don't do strenuous exercise when you have a cold.
  • Choose a humid environment for your workout, such as a trail alongside a lake or a gym with an indoor pool.
  • Avoid allergens when exercising if they worsen your symptoms. Examples include air pollution, pollen or pet dander.
  • Learn to breathe through your nose to warm air before it goes into your lungs.
  • Keep your mouth and nose covered during exercise in cold weather.
  • Don't avoid exercise because you have asthma. Staying in good shape can ease asthma symptoms in the long run.
References
  1. O'Byrne P. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
  2. Expert panel report 3 (EPR-3): Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. National Institutes of Health. Bethesda, Md. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/07_sec3_comp4.pdf. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
  3. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology work group report: Exercise-induced asthma. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/members/academy_statements/position_statements/exercise_induced.pdf. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
  4. McFadden ER. Approach to the patient with exercise-induced airway narrowing. In: Adkinson NF. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/163002133-3/0/1806/82.html?tocnode=56311172&fromURL=82.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00078-4_2735. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.

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Nov. 20, 2009

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