Like it sounds, exercise-induced asthma is asthma that is triggered by
vigorous or prolonged exercise or physical exertion. Most people with chronic
asthma experience symptoms of asthma during exercise. However, there are many
people without chronic asthma who develop symptoms only during exercise.
Why Does Exercise Induce Asthma?
During normal breathing, the air we take in is first warmed and moistened by
the nasal passages. Because people tend to breathe through their mouths when
they exercise, they are inhaling colder and drier air.
In exercise-induced asthma, the muscle bands around the airways are
sensitive to these changes in temperature and humidity and react by
contracting, which narrows the airway. This results in symptoms of
exercised-induced asthma, which include:
The symptoms of exercise-induced asthma generally begin within 5-20 minutes
after the start of exercise, or 5-10 minutes after brief exercise has stopped.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms with exercise, inform your
doctor.
If I Have Asthma, Should I Avoid Exercise?
No. You shouldn't avoid physical
activity because of exercise-induced asthma. There are steps you can take
for prevention of asthma symptoms that will allow you to maintain normal
physical activity. In fact, many athletes -- even Olympic athletes -- compete
with asthma. For example, in the 1996 Olympic Games, 1 out of every 6 athletes
had asthma. These Olympians competed in a variety of sports such as track and
field, mountain biking, kayaking, cycling, and rowing. The following is an
abbreviated list of athletes who have competed despite their asthma.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependant upon the cause.
Asthma is a common disorder in which
chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi) makes them swell, narrowing the airways. Signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness,
cough and wheezing.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination.
There are many unusual symptoms of asthma, including sighing, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, chronic cough, recurrent walking pneumonia, and rapid breathing. These symptoms may vary from individual to individual. These asthma complexities make it difficult to accurately diagnose and treat asthma.
There are two types of asthma medications: long-term control with anti-inflammatory drugs and quick relief from bronchodilators. Asthma medicines may be inhaled using a metered dose inhaler or nebulizer or they may be taken orally. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, or heart disease shouldn't take OTC drugs like Primatene Mist and Bronkaid.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs that fit any age or lifestyle.
Chronic cough is a cough that persists. Chronic cough is not a
disease in itself; rather it is a symptom of an underlying condition. Chronic
cough is a common
problem and the reason for many doctor visits.
What are causes of chronic cough?
Some common causes of chronic cough include
asthma,
allergic rhinitis, sinus
problems (for example sinus
infection), and esophageal reflux of stomach contents. In rare occasions, chronic
cough may be the result of aspiration of foreign objects into the lungs (usually
in children). It is very important to see a doctor who may order a chest
X-ray if a chronic cough is present. The following are common causes of
chronic coughing.
Cigarette smoking
actually is the most common cause of chronic cough.
Asthma is a disease of airways, resulting in difficulty breathing or
wheezing often characterized by abnormal breathing...