Exercise-Induced Asthma Common Among Olympic Athletes
Main Category: Sports Medicine / FitnessArticle Date: 01 Feb 2006 - 21:00 PDT
| Patient / Public: | ![]() |
4 (2 votes) |
| Health Professional: | ![]() |
5 (1 votes) |
| Article Opinions: | 0 posts |
This February, many athletes with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) will compete at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. EIA affects as many as 20% of highly competitive athletes and one in every six Olympic athletes, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
EIA is caused by airways that are overly sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and humidity, especially when breathing colder, drier air in the winter months. During strenuous activity, people tend to breathe through their mouths, allowing this cold, dry air to reach to reach the lower airways without passing through the warming, humidifying effects of the nose.
People with EIA experience difficulty breathing within 5-20 minutes after exercising. Symptoms include:
-- Wheezing
-- Chest tightness
-- Coughing
-- Chest pain
-- Prolonged or unexpected shortness of breath
"People who have EIA should not stop exercising," said Timothy J. Craig, DO, FAAAAI and Chair of the AAAAI's Sports Medicine Committee. "Exercise is good for all people, including those with asthma. Certain activities are better for people suffering from EIA, although the type and duration of activities varies with each individual."
Sports that require short bursts of energy, such as baseball, football, wrestling, golfing, gymnastics, short-term track and field events or surfing are less likely to trigger EIA.
Swimming also has many positive factors for those with EIA. The warm, humid atmosphere, year-round availability, toning of upper body muscles, and the horizontal position can help mobilize mucus from the bottom of the lungs. Walking, leisure biking, hiking, and free downhill skiing are also less likely to trigger EIA. Wearing a scarf of surgical mask in cold weather can also decrease symptoms by warming the inhaled air.
Athletes of all levels need to remember to take proper precautions if they have EIA. Exercise is beneficial to both physical health and emotional well-being. All people with EIA should be able to exercise to their full ability with appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
If you have been diagnosed with EIA, talk to your allergist/immunologist about a personalized management plan for your EIA and begin exercising again. Many asthmatics have found that with proper medical treatment, they are able to reduce the symptoms of EIA.
To find an allergist/immunologist in your area or to learn more about allergies and asthma, call the AAAAI's Physician Referral and Information Line at (800) 822-2762 or visit the AAAAI Web site at http://www.aaaai.org.
The AAAAI is the largest professional medical specialty organization in the United States representing allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,300 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to the public by providing educational information through its Web site at http://www.aaaai.org.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
http://www.aaaai.org
|
Please rate this article: (Hover over the stars then click to rate) |
Patient / Public: |
or |
Health Professional: |
Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.
Contact Our News Editors
For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.
![]()
Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:
| Back to top | Back to front page | List of All Medical Articles |
| Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | © 2010 MediLexicon International Ltd |



