ASTHMA IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE

Asthma in Sports and Exercise



Abstract

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) can be explicated as a phenomenon of reversible and transient airway narrowing by heavy exercise. It is a very common scenario with myriad athletes. Cold weather has immense affect on the narrowing of airway that causes EIA or EIB (Exercise-induced branchospasm). For years, the inability to participate in athletic programs or recreational sports has been an obstacle for children and adults with asthma. It was thought that asthma could not and should not take part in team sports and strenuous activities. Common treatments involve taking medication before exercise and avoiding very chill conditions.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Why does it occur?4

Activities Causing Wheezing5

Diagnoses8

Treatment8

Recommended sports10

Tips for coping with exercise-induced asthma11

Conclusion14

Reference15

Introduction

Up to 85% of asthmatics have symptoms of wheezing during or after exercise. In addition, many patients diagnosed with allergies or asthma has family history of allergy. In this case bronchospasm or tightness of the airways is caused by exercise. Other symptoms include rapid heartbeat, cough, abdominal pain and chest tightness occurs five to ten minutes after exercise [1]. For number of years the inability of adult athlete participation has been hampered by asthma and it has kept them away from recreational sports and athletic programs. It was initially and still thought that patients with asthma shouldn't participate in sports, recreational activities and activities that require strenuous energy. Today, with proper treatment and diagnosis, it's possible to take part in any sort of activities which is very much important for physical and psychological growth.

Why does it occur? The outdoor exercise in cold and low humidity (dry air) tends to worsen symptoms and it is believed that both factors increase the heat loss from the airways. Nasal obstruction worsens exercise-induced asthma as the inspired air is humidified and heated not by the nose. Environmental contaminants (such as sulfur dioxide), high concentrations of pollen and viral infections of the airways increases the likelihood and severity of exercise-induced wheezing [2].

The trachea has a front wall shaped horseshoe open back. This wall is composed of cartilaginous rings connected by fiber blades. Posterior wall is flat, fibrous and covered with a layer of smooth muscle. The intra-pulmonary bronchi have a cell wall whose composition (Goblet cells, hair cells) varies gradually as one approaches the pour. The cartilaginous rings are less and less complete for layer in the respiratory bronchioles.

I can be categorically concluded that cold weather has an immense effect on the exercise induced asthma as it hampers the passage for air travel that makes it difficult to breath under cold conditions.

Activities Causing Wheezing

Sports and any kind of exercises that have the potential to trigger bronchospasm are those kinds of efforts that require physical activities in moderate period of duration. It is common in environment such as racing middle course, basketball, racquetball, cycling races etcetera. However, the activities that involve pauses and resume are more likely to maintain the conditions as normal.It is possible, nevertheless, achieves a "tolerance" of the bronchial system to the IEA in ...