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Don't Let Exercise-Induced Asthma Stop the Game

An asthma attack can be frightening for all involved. If your child suffers from exercise-induced asthma, you might wonder if it is safe to let him or her participate in sports.

Exercise is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle. However, exercise may present challenges for people with asthma, as it is a common trigger of asthma symptoms, especially among children.

Asthmatic patients often exercise less than they should due to a fear of experiencing an asthma episode. The good news is that with appropriate therapy, they are able to participate in most athletic activities without restriction.

Proof that people with asthma can participate in sports at the highest levels is evidenced by 16 percent of U.S. Olympic athletes having asthma – a rate nearly double that of the general American population.

According to Leonard Bacharier, MD, a Washington University specialist in pediatric asthma and allergy, “The symptoms of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) are identical to those of asthma triggered by other factors – shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and/or cough.

These symptoms usually improve with rest. However, the use of an asthma rescue medication, such as albuterol, accelerates recovery.”

Several strategies are quite effective in preventing EIA. These include:

• Warming up before and cooling down after exercise.
• Using asthma medications (generally albuterol) prior to exercise.
• Using daily preventive asthma medications to help control all elements of asthma, including symptoms triggered by exercise.

Dr. Bacharier adds, “Your child should always have a rescue inhaler available during exercise, even if he or she is receiving preventive therapy. However, symptoms may still develop during cold weather, high allergen exposures, poor air quality days, and in the event of a respiratory tract infection”.

You, your child’s teachers and coaches should be well-educated on the symptoms and treatment of EIA. It is also important to make sure that rescue medications are immediately available.  For an appointment, please call 314-454-2694

Patients are seen at:

St Louis Children's Hospital
One Children's Place
2nd Floor, Suite C
St. Louis, MO  63110

West County Office
Medical Office Building 3
1020 N. Mason Rd.
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
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Copyright 2013 Washington University School of Medicine
Copyright 2013 Washington University School of Medicine