An individual with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction starts to experience symptoms during exercise or physical activity.
What are the indications?
The symptoms of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction generally arise if the airways constrict due to physical exertion. The condition is triggered by the loss of heat, water or both from the lungs due to physical activity by rapidly inhaling air that is drier than what is in the body.
- Wheezing
These symptoms usually arise within a few minutes after starting exercise and can continue for up to 10-15 minutes. - Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Chest tightness
- Upset stomach
- Cough
- Poor tolerance for activity
These symptoms usually arise within a few minutes after starting exercise and can continue for up to 10-15 minutes. Remember that anyone can experience these symptoms but they are more severe if an individual has exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
Management of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction
In the previous years, it was believed that inhaling cold air worsens exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Based on recent studies, it indicates that the dryness of the air instead of the temperature is a likely trigger.
Always bear in mind that cold air generally has less moisture than warm air. Rapidly inhaling dry air will dehydrate the bronchial tubes, causing them to constrict and limit the air flow.
Some measures to help relieve the symptoms include:
- Warm up with mild exercise for around 15 minutes before moving on to more intense physical activity.
- The individual should cover his/her mouth and nose using a face mask or scarf while exercising during cold weather.
- The individual should inhale via the nose while exercising to warm the air that enters the lungs.
Medications used to manage asthma can be given to prevent and treat the symptoms of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. These are frequently administered via an inhaler, but some are available in tablet form:
- Bronchodilators – these are used to stop the symptoms right away. They are taken 15-30 minutes before physical activity and generally prevents symptoms for 2-4 hours.
- Long-term control medications – these are taken daily to prevent symptoms and attacks which includes inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators. These are taken 30-60 minutes before activity and can prevent symptoms for 10-12 hours.