Athletic asthma: breathing well during exercise

It may occur in someone with asthma or in a person who has symptoms only with exertion. A clinician can distinguish it from poor fitness, vocal cord problems and other causes of breathlessness.

Fast breathing during sport brings larger amounts of cool or dry air into the lungs. In susceptible people, this can prompt the airway lining to react and the muscles around the breathing tubes to tighten. Symptoms often begin during hard effort or shortly after stopping.

A history alone may not confirm the cause. Assessment can include listening to the chest, breathing tests before and after a bronchodilator, or a supervised exercise challenge. Symptoms outside exercise can suggest that underlying asthma needs better control.

Warm up gradually, build intensity in stages and cool down rather than stopping abruptly. Covering the mouth and nose in cold, dry conditions may help warm inhaled air. Avoid smoke and adjust outdoor training when dust, pollution or a known allergen is aggravating your breathing.

Use prescribed inhalers exactly as shown in your asthma action plan, including any medicine advised before exercise. Check technique with a clinician or pharmacist. Repeated reliance on a reliever, reduced performance or symptoms at rest should prompt a treatment review rather than simply avoiding activity.

Arrange an appointment if exertional cough, wheeze or tightness keeps returning, wakes you at night, limits usual exercise or is not responding as your action plan predicts. Stop exercising and seek emergency help for severe breathlessness, difficulty speaking, blue or grey lips, confusion, collapse, or rapid worsening despite prescribed reliever treatment.

Ask whether your pattern fits exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, whether breathing tests are appropriate, how to time prescribed medicine around training, and what signs in your personal action plan mean you should stop activity or obtain urgent help.