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What is exercise induced asthma?
It is a narrowing of airways during exercise causing a decrease in lung function.
- 70 to 90 percent of asthmatics have exercise as a trigger
- True exercise induced asthma, when bronchoconstriction only happens with vigorous exercise, is less common
What are the symptoms of exercise induced asthma?
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Perception of being de-conditioned
- Lack of interest in physical activities
How are you diagnosed with exercise induced asthma?
- History and physical exam by physician.
- Evaluate for response to short acting b-agonist, if positive then asthma is likely
- Methacholine challenge test if you have never been diagnosed with asthma before
- If methacholine test is negative, then have an exercise challenge study
What are the treatment options for exercise induced asthma?
The medications available for this are:
Short-acting b-agonists (albuterol, Maxair, Alupent)
- Traditional therapy of using there 15-20 minutes prior to therapy has been effective for many people
- Daily use of short-acting bronchodilators decreases their benefit pre-exercise though
Mast Cell Stabilizers (Cromolyn, Nedocromil)
- Used as daily medications or prior to exercise
- These have been shown to decrease the recovery time from an exacerbation while exercising
Long-acting b-agonists (Serevent, Foradil)
- Beneficial if used as needed for exercised induced asthma
- If used daily, they lose their effectiveness in about 1 month
Inhaled Steroids (Pulmicort, Aeorbid, Flovent, Azmacort)
- Mainstay of chronic asthma medications
- Best if used on a daily basis
- Does not have a falloff of benefit over time
Leukotriene antagonists (Singular, Accolate)
- Daily therapy works best.
- Oral medication is not an inhaler.
- Does not have a fall off of benefit over time.
Are any of these medications against the rules in the Olympics or NCAA?
The Olympic committee is more stringent than the NCAA, but in either case there is at least one medication in each group that is not banned. You should check with your organization prior to using any of these medications if there is a question.
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