What to know about exercise-induced asthma

Exercise-induced asthma refers to the narrowing of airways in the lungs caused by strenuous exercise, resulting in shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and other symptoms, which can arise during or after exercise.

“The preferred term for this condition is exerciseinduced bronchoconstriction (brong-koh-kunSTRIK-SHUN),” according to the Mayo Clinic. “This term is more accurate because the exercise induces narrowing of airways (bronchoconstriction) but isn’t a root cause of asthma. Among people with asthma, exercise is likely just one of several factors that may trigger breathing difficulties.”

The condition shouldn’t prevent you from exercising, however. In fact, most people with exercised-induced asthma can continue to remain active by treating the symptoms with common asthma medications and taking preventive measures.

The following signs and symptoms can arise during or soon after exercise and last for 60 minutes or longer if left untreated:

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• Shortness of breath

• Chest tightness or pain

• Fatigue during exercise

• Poorer than expected athletic performance

Seek medical attention is you’re the severity of your symptoms worsens, such as shortness of breath or wheezing that is quickly increasing, making it a struggle to breathe; or experiencing no improvement even after using a prescription inhaler for asthma attacks.

If left untreated, exercise-induced asthma can result in serious or lifethreatening breathing difficulties, especially for people with poorly managed asthma.