Search
Related Links




 

 

Informative Articles

Bass Fishing Facts And More
Bass fishing has a fascinating history. It started in the late 18th century and continues to progress until today. It probably was originally practiced in search for food among the people in the south of the United States. Since then, it...

Golf the real thing
The grass is always greener on the other side. Not as green as I felt on the inside the day I decided to check out this golf lark. I could never get my head around why all the excitement and fuss at the sheer mention of the word golf. Off to the...

Help Is At Hand If You Are Buying A New Kayak
There are many companies you can buy kayaks from. But the best one for most people is Coleman. If you're looking for a kayak, then you will be able to find a Coleman kayak perfect for you! Coleman is among the best kayak-making companies....

Slimming the Waist - Article 2 of 3: Cardio
Slimming the Waist: Article 2 of 3 - Cardio By Ben Greenfield If you're performing the ab workout I outlined in Article 1 of this series, or any other ab routine, it's not going to slim your waist unless you also burn off the fat. Remember, a...

Snowboarding The Great White
Snowboarding has great similarities to surfing and skiing: It's like surfing in that it is a board sport, and like skiing because it is performed in the snow. Snowboarders - or riders, as they are called - strap boards to their feet and slide...

 
Asthma

So you have asthma? Think you can't exercise safely? Read on, my friend, and discover how you *can* do so safely and how your body will benefit from the exertion!

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is marked by the following characteristics that are present during episodes of airflow obstruction:

Coughing Wheezing Shortness of breath Chest tightness

It tends to occur in people who are genetically or environmentally presdisposed to the condition. Some of the triggers that might start or make an attack worse include:

Exposure to allergens (animal dander, pollen, mold) Viral respiratory infections Airway irritants (tobacco smoke, environmental pollutants) Exercise Exposure to things such as dust mites or cockroaches, especially in childhood

Medical treatments for asthma include:

Anti-inflammatory agents (inhaled and pill-formed steroids) Broncodilators

If the patient can manage his/her symptoms, it's possible to avoid any critical or emergency breathing treatments, however, for people in a higher-pollutant area, this might prove to be a difficult task.

How can you prevent an asthma attack?

Bathe pets weekly Do not smoke or permit smoking in your home Stay inside with air conditioning when mold or pollen counts are high Wash your bedding & stuffed toys once per week in hot water Wash your hands often Get a flu shot Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose in the winter Be proactive about knowing your "triggers" and avoiding them

Now, with this information in place where does exercise fit in to your asthmatic life? According to Dr. Jack Becker, chief of allergy and asthma at St. Christopher's in Philadelphia, you shouldn't give up on sports or exercise at all. You just have to be smart about how you play, and


take special precautions to avoid a flare-up.

Nearly all doctors agree that the best way to prevent an attack during exertion (exercise) is to keep the medication (inhaler) close at hand. You shouldn't use the inhaler more than 3 times during a game or exercise session--at that point, it's best just to back off and rest a while. Additionally, if you are up the previous night with coughing and wheezing, it's probably best to go lightly on the exercise the next day.

For something such as Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA), symptoms are slightly different, in that they will appear after about 6-8 minutes of exertion, and are often worse in cold, dry air.

For those with EIA, certain activities are preferred over others:

Swimming: this sport has a warm, humid atmosphere, year-round availability, and upper-body toning. Walking Leisure biking Free downhill skiing (wearing a scarf or surgical mask to help warm the air while inhaling) Team sports that require a short burst of energy are better than those that require more continual activity. Thus, baseball, football, golfing, gymnastics, surfing, or wrestling are preferred over soccer, basketball, field hockey, or long-distance running.

Remember, this condition is not "all in your head," it is a real, physiological medical condition that requires appropriate treatment. While your doctor can be your biggest ally in treating your asthma, YOU are the one who can most effectively prevent your symptoms. Be smart, take your medication, and be proactive. And don't let asthma sideline your physical activity--it does a body good!
About the Author
This article provided courtsy of http://www.stop-smoking-solutions.com

Sign up for PayPal and start accepting credit card payments instantly.