Asthma and Allergy > Asthma > Triggers > Exercise Induced

Exercise-induced asthma

People who have exercise-induced asthma have symptoms when they exercise. Vigorous activity causes the airways to narrow, especially when combined with cold, dry air, low humidity, pollen or pollution. With proper treatment, people with exercise-induced asthma should be able to exercise.

The most common activities that can cause an asthma episode are aerobic activities, which involve continuous movement over a long period. Cold-weather activities such as cross-country skiing and hockey also are likely to aggravate airways.

Not all sports or exercise involve this kind of continuous movement. Football, baseball and tennis are examples of sports involving shorter sprints.

Treatment

If you have exercise-induced asthma, your doctor may prescribe a medication that can be taken before exercise to control and prevent asthma symptoms. The medications most often prescribed for exercise-induced asthma are inhalers that relax the muscles surrounding airways, called bronchodilators.

Prevention

You can prevent asthma symptoms by avoiding other triggers (such as pollen or cold air) while you exercise, and warming up before strenuous activity.