Health Highlights | Exercising with Asthma
Key takeaways:
- People with asthma should not shy away from exercising. If you have a plan and know your symptoms, you can keep the condition in check.
- Short bursts of exercise and working out in warmer weather are better.
- If you do have an asthma attack, rest and use your inhaler. If things don't improve quickly, call 9-1-1.
For the thousands of people who have asthma, the thought of vigorous exercise may be daunting.
They may think, “What if I'm working out alone and find myself short of breath or worse?”
Experts say workout warriors and their parents need not be afraid. You can work up a sweat with asthma if you know your body and prepare for possible problems.
OSF HealthCare athletic trainer Brittany Delaney says short bursts of exercise are better.
Also, cold weather and chlorine can cause flare-ups.
If you do suffer chest pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms of an asthma attack, rest and use your inhaler.
Delaney suggests leaving the inhaler with someone so you know exactly where it is.
“I see a lot of athletes who carry their inhaler, but are they following directions? Are they only taking their medication when they're starting to feel symptoms? A lot of people with asthma actually have inflammation daily. They should be taking medication daily,” Delaney says.
If your symptoms don't get better quickly, call 9-1-1.