Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)

Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) occurs in almost all people who suffer from asthma but there are people who suffer from EIA who have never experienced chronic asthma (i.e. there is no actual inflammation in their lungs and they don’t experience asthmatic symptoms when exposed to other common triggers such as pollen or animals). This group of EIA sufferers (a study in the USA found that around 13% of the population suffer form EIA) only experience the symptoms of asthma when performing exercise.

The causes for EIA vary but it has been found that it is usually associated with heat and/or water loss from the lungs during exercise. EIA sufferers’ airways are more sensitive to sudden changes in humidity and temperature, especially in colder, drier air, and this tends to precipitate the attack. During intense exercise, people will usually breathe through their mouths to maximise their oxygen input. The problem with this is that when air passes through the nose, the temperature and humidity of the air entering the lungs in increased (around 80-90% humidity). When breathing in through the mouth, the air is drier with a humidity of around 60-70%.

The main symptoms of EIA are the same as chronic asthma and include the following:

• Chest tightness
• Wheezing or coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Reduced performance

With EIA, it is common for the symptoms to appear after a few minutes and will peak at around 10 minutes into the workout.

Treatment and prevention of EIA

Useful tips to avoid an asthmatic attack during exercise include the following:

• Always do a gradual increase in intensity warm up for at least 10 minutes before the actual exercise.
• When it’s cold outside, take necessary precautions. This can include covering your mouth with a mask or even moving the activity indoors if possible.
• Consult a doctor about prescribing an inhaler. Inhalers have been shown to be effective in 80-90% of EIA sufferers and it should ideally be taken 15 minutes before one starts the exercise. The inhaler can also be used to relieve symptoms once an attack has occurred. (Note: if an inhaler isn’t helping with the EIA symptoms, there is probably a more chronic asthmatic condition causing the attacks).

As mentioned, cold, dry air seems to be a precursor for EIA, so it seems to reason that sports done in warm, humid climates will be more beneficial for EIA sufferers. All cold-weather activities, together with sports with sustained periods of high exertion, will make one more prone to an attack. This will include sports such as soccer, basketball, field hockey, running, cross-country skiing etc.

Sports such as swimming, walking, recreational cycling, golf, cricket, gymnastics, etc. will reduce the incidence of an attack.

It is important to note that people who suffer from EIA, or even chronic asthma for that matter; they should still participate in an exercise regime and EIA need not be a factor in limiting one’s potential. One study found that at Olympic level, around 20% of athletes suffer from asthma and in another study, it was found that at the 1996 Olympic games, nearly 30% of all the USA competitors who suffered from EIA, won medals and their performances were on par with the non-asthmatic athletes.

As in so many other scenarios, one’s overall health plays a significant role in controlling the symptoms of EIA. Asthma severity is directly correlated to obesity levels so the closer one is to their ideal weight, the better they can manage their asthma. Physical conditioning has been shown to be beneficial to asthma sufferers by both improving their quality of life as well as in controlling the symptoms.