What is exercise-induced asthma?

This refers to bronchoconstriction or narrowing of the airways caused by performing high-intensity exercise, either while developing the physical activity or upon its conclusion, leading to shortness of breath, coughing fits, wheezing, and difficulty breathing normally.

Also known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), exercise-induced asthma causes excessive mucus and inflammation in susceptible individuals when performing physical activities.

The direct cause of exercise-induced asthma is not entirely clear, but it is a fact that exercise is a factor that generates respiratory problems in asthmatic patients.

• Suffering from asthma.
• Participating in high-performance sports.
• Cold and dry air.
• Polluted environment.
• Presence of chemical cleaners.
• Activities with high respiratory demand.

• Episodes can last for more than an hour if left untreated.
• Coughing fits.
• Noises and wheezing.
• Shortness of breath (scarce breath).
• Sore chest.
• Chest tightness.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Poor physical performance.

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request various studies such as:

• Lung function analysis.
• Exercise tolerance tests.
• Chest X-ray.

The treatment to follow will depend on the severity of the symptoms you experience, but it generally consists of symptom control and prevention of complications through:

Medications taken prior to exercise:

• Short-acting beta-agonists.
• Ipratropium.

Long-term control medications:

• Corticosteroids.
• Combination of corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists.
• Leukotriene modifiers.

In the Internal Medicine Department at Centro Médico ABC, we provide medical care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, including both chronic-degenerative conditions and acute cases, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

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