Site Map

Exercise-induced asthma

Wheezing - exercise-induced; Reactive airway disease - exercise; Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

Images

Description

Sometimes exercise triggers asthma symptoms. This is called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). In the past, this was called exercise-induced asthma. Exercise does not cause asthma, but it can cause airways to constrict (narrow). Most people with asthma have EIB, but not everyone with EIB has asthma.

The symptoms of EIB are coughing, wheezing, a feeling of tightness in your chest, or shortness of breath. Most times, these symptoms start soon after you stop exercising. Some people may have symptoms after they start exercising.

Be Careful Where and When you Exercise

Having asthma symptoms when you exercise does not mean you cannot or should not exercise. But be aware of your EIB triggers.

Cold or dry air may trigger asthma symptoms. If you do exercise in cold or dry air:

• Breathe through your nose.
• Wear a scarf or mask over your mouth.

Do not exercise when the air is polluted. Avoid exercising near fields or lawns that have just been mowed.

Warm up before you exercise, and cool down afterward:

• To warm up, walk or do your exercise activity slowly before you speed up.
• The longer you warm up, the better.
• To cool down, walk or do your exercise activity slowly for several minutes.

Some kinds of exercise may be less likely to trigger asthma symptoms than others.

• Swimming is a good sport for people with EIB. The warm, moist air helps keep asthma symptoms away.
• Football, baseball, and other sports with periods when you do not move fast are less likely to trigger your asthma symptoms.

Activities that keep you moving fast all the time are more likely to trigger asthma symptoms, such as running, basketball, or soccer.

Use Your Asthma Medicine Before you Exercise

Take your short-acting, or quick-relief, inhaled medicines before you exercise.

• Take them 10 to 15 minutes before exercise.
• They can help for up to 4 hours.

Long-acting, inhaled medicines may also help.

• Use them at least 30 minutes before exercise.
• They can help for up to 12 hours. Children can take this medicine before school, and it will help for the whole day.
• Be aware that using this kind of medicine every day before exercise may make it less effective over time.

Follow your health care provider's advice on which medicines to use and when.

Related Information

Asthma
Asthma in children
Asthma and allergy resources
Wheezing
Asthma - child - discharge
Asthma - control drugs
Asthma - quick-relief drugs
Exercising and asthma at school
Make peak flow a habit
Signs of an asthma attack
Stay away from asthma triggers
How to use a nebulizer
Asthma and school
How to use an inhaler - no spacer
How to use an inhaler - with spacer
How to use your peak flow meter
Asthma in adults - what to ask the doctor
Asthma in children - what to ask your doctor

References

Brannan JD, Kaminsky DA, Hallstrand TS. Approach to the patient with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O'Hehir RE, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 54.

Lugogo N, Que LG, Carr TF, Kraft M. Asthma: diagnosis and management. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 62.

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Asthma Management Guidelines: Focused Updates 2020. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma-management-guidelines-2020-updates. Updated February 4, 2021. Accessed February 8, 2024.

Vohra TT, Nowak RM. Asthma. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 59.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 2/3/2024  

Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Health Content Provider 06/01/2025

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.