by H. Farhadian. M.D., F.A.A.P
About 12.5 million Americans are suffering from some degree of asthma. About 80 percent of the time, this condition is hereditary. That means that in 80 percent of the cases, we find some of the family has been suffering with asthma or allergies.
The severity of asthmas varies from mild to sever and even life threatening. This condition is characterized by episodes of shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, wheezing, cough and phlegm.
The following factors initiate or aggravate asthma, such as pollen, house dust, animal hair and dander, smoke (first and second hand), air pollen, strong odors like perfume odor, food odor, aerosol sprays, change of temperature, atmosphere, and altitude pressure, also stress and some viral infections.
Bacterial infections, especially sinusitis, could aggravate or trigger asthma. One of the most important factors are over exertion and intense physical activity.
More than 70 percent of asthmatic patients can aggravate their condition by too much physical activity. However, a certain percentage of patients develop symptoms only during or after exercise. This condition is called exercise-induced asthma.
The cause of exercised-induced asthma is not known. It is speculated that during exercise, water evaporates through the respiratory tract. And, heat is lost be excessive breathing.
Loss of water and heat cause both spasm of the bronchial tubes and therefore, feeling of shortness of breath, and wheezing occurs. Now, the question is, should people who suffer from exercise-induced asthma, or if their asthma is aggravated or triggered by any exercise, stop physical activity? The answer is no. The majority of the cases can be controlled by different techniques and medications.
If the patient has allergies, by performing a skin test we can find out the allergen or offending agent that is causing asthma and then, if possible, avoid the specific agent. If that is not possible, the person can be desensitized against that allergen (the agent that causes allergy) so that the person becomes immunized to those specific agents.
Also, asthma should be treated by medication that opens the bronchial tubes, such as Beta-2 agonists. However, the main drugs today are anti-inflammatory like cromolyn or nedocromil. These medications are used for prevention.
Use of these inhalers one hour before physical activity usually would enable the person to perform without having an asthma attack.
Therefore, people who enjoy physical activity may be able to do so by taking these medications without changing their lifestyles.
There are Olympic athletes who may continue their physical activity successfully by taking medications.
This is a hopeful message to all individuals who suffer from asthma but they still would like to continue exercising.
For more information, call:
Santa Clarita Valley: (661) 259-6996
Antelope Valley: (661) 266-3322