Wondering why your child has a hard time keeping up with teammates on game day? Or maybe it’s you that can’t seem to breathe easily through those workouts at the gym. Consider exercise-induced asthma a possibility, then schedule a visit at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology of the Rockies, P.C., in Avon, Basalt, Aspen, Frisco, and Glenwood Springs, Colorado. These highly skilled specialists are experts at diagnosing and effectively treating exercise-induced asthma. Call to make an appointment or book your visit online.
Probably better described as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), exercise causes constriction of your bronchial tubes, which move air in and out of your lungs. EIB causes tightening of the smooth muscle tissue surrounding these airways. That narrows the passageways and makes it difficult to breathe and can cause cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath with activity.
As the muscle bands around your bronchial tubes tighten and these airways narrow, you may experience asthma-like symptoms, including:
Exercise-induced asthma symptoms generally occur within 5-20 minutes of starting an activity.
Children may not be able to discuss these symptoms or even recognize they aren’t “normal.” You may notice, however, that your child avoids strenuous exercise or stops participating in activities they used to enjoy. Children with EIB often find it very difficult to keep up with their peers during exercise despite being otherwise healthy and seemingly physically fit.
Any condition that restricts or interferes with breathing is serious. Exercise-induced asthma can be especially concerning during fast-paced sports that require significant effort, such as high-speed cycling, basketball, or soccer. Children, teens, and adults can overlook symptoms during the thrill of a game or race and may not recognize worsening symptoms, which can lead to serious and life-threatening difficulty breathing.
The providers at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology of the Rockies use a variety of painless diagnostic studies to definitively diagnose exercise-induced asthma, including spirometry to gauge your lung function at rest and exercise challenge tests to determine lung function with activity.
Once it’s clear exercise-induced asthma is at play, your provider may recommend pre-exercise treatment with an inhaler that opens airways or a daily control medication if you continue to have problems. They’ll also recommend you avoid triggers, such as exercising in very cold or dry air.
Don’t let exercise-induced asthma take you out of the game. Schedule a visit with the experts at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology of the Rockies today.
