Adults, teens, and children can suffer from many different types of asthma, including exercise-induced asthma. Exercise-induced asthma, or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, generally occurs in people who engage in a physical activity that increases their breathing and heart rate. Learn more about exercise-induced asthma and how to avoid and treat it below.

How Does Exercise-Induced Asthma Cause You Problems?

Physical activity is a good way to stay healthy in life. But for some individuals, they can't do certain activities without experiencing problems with their breathing. The individuals may feel short of breath or physically overwhelmed by coughing, wheezing, and other symptoms when they engage in sports, running, and other activities. The individuals may suffer from a condition called exercise-induced asthma. 

Exercise-induced asthma can strike anyone of any age group over time, including people who don't have asthma. The individuals may develop symptoms only when they engage in a physical activity. Once the individuals discontinue the activity, the symptoms gradually disappear.

If you feel short of breath, tightness in your chest, or any of the symptoms mentioned above, take action to overcome your condition.

Can You Overcome Your Asthma Symptoms?

The most important action you can take today is to avoid the activities that trigger or bring about your symptoms. You also want to keep a list or diary of every activity that aggravates your breathing. Be sure to highlight the date and time your symptoms occur during exercise. For instance, if you become wheezy or short of breath when you exercise outdoors, place this information on your list. The information will come in handy later on.

Next, talk an allergy doctor about your symptoms. If you need to do so, use your list to help you explain your symptoms to a physician. A physician can also use the list to:

• determine the extent of your asthma
• notate the causes of your asthma
• find out the severity of your asthma

After going over your symptoms and obtaining additional information from you, a doctor may check the condition of your lungs. You may undergo a lung-function test during this phase of your treatment. You may need to undergo a blood-oxygen test as well. 

A doctor may use your test results to determine the best asthma treatment for you, which may include using a bronchodilator or a stabilizer before and/or after exercise. If you need more details about exercise-induced asthma treatment, consult a physician immediately.

If you can't determine why you become ill during exercise, contact a doctor to ask about asthma services now.