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They all are living with asthma. Beckham has been managing his asthma since he was a young boy. Hibbert wasn’t diagnosed until he was well into his NBA career. Van Dyken joined a swim team to live a more active life with asthma.
With the help of a doctor, you, too, can be active even though you’ve been diagnosed with asthma. Exercise can help you stay healthy and control your symptoms.
What’s the link between asthma and exercise?Physical activity can bring on an asthma attack called exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Experts say 90 percent of people dealing with chronic asthma also experience EIA. Symptoms of EIA are chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. These symptoms may occur within the first few minutes of exercise or right after stopping a workout. They can last for an hour or longer and may lead to an asthma attack
Are some exercises more likely to cause an attack?Some high-intensity activities are more likely to trigger EIA. These include basketball, soccer, running, and cycling. Activity in cold, dry air, such as cross-country skiing and ice-skating, also can cause this condition.
How should an athlete manage asthma?The Cleveland Clinic notes a proper warm-up can make a big difference in whether you run into breathing trouble during exercise.
Exercise-induced asthma is a chronic health problem that you can manage. Your doctor may give you pre-exercise medication to prevent symptoms. It’s also important to follow these tips:
Having asthma doesn’t mean missing out on the health benefits of an active lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about activities that are best for you and your asthma management.
Learn more about managing asthma on our Taking on Asthma website.
Originally published on 9/7/2016; Revised 2020, 2021