How to Make Asthma Work for You!
Exercise may be a difficult, overwhelming activity for someone living with asthma.
However, asthma or not, getting moving is always going to benefit you!
Though getting outside of your comfort zone and feeling a little puffed can make anyone anxious, this feeling is exacerbated when someone has asthma. This is because asthma affects the airways (the passages that transport air into our lungs) and makes them sensitive to triggers such as a cold or the flu, smoke, allergy-related triggers (such as mould or dust), or stress. For some people their only asthma trigger may be exercise - this is known as exercise-induced asthma.
When triggered, the airways become inflamed and narrowed which causes breathing difficulties. Imagine having to breathe through a straw!
However, if asthma is managed well with the correct medications it should not impact on your daily life - this includes exercise! Did you know that there are lots of Olympic Athletes who have exercise-induced asthma and perform just as well as their non-asthmatic competitors! Exercise can also help reduce asthma symptoms by:
Boosting lung power by raising your heart rate regularly. This increases stamina and reduces breathlessness
It supports your immune system and helps fight colds and viruses – a major trigger for over 80% of people with asthma
It releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your brain!
The National Asthma Council of Australia advise that if you are exercising with asthma, you should;
Exercise in a place that is warm and humid – avoid cold, dry air if possible.
Avoid exercising where there are high levels of pollens, dusts, fumes or pollution.
Breathe through your nose when you exercise.
Do a proper warm-up and cool-down.
Keep your reliever (e.g. Ventolin , Asmol , Bricanyl) handy and be prepared if your asthma flares up.If your asthma does flare up, don’t ignore it or hope the symptoms will go away by themselves.
Keep in mind that exercise and physical activity that is strenuous, of long-duration, or performed in a stressful environment (think high altitude or outside during winter) increase the risk of asthma flares.
Some exercise ideas include!
Walking outside, especially with a walking group you can trust and befriend!
Yoga and tai chi because they let you set the pace and relax, as well as helping with breathing control
Swimming as you can set your own pace - however be mindful that swimming and chlorine may be a trigger for some people
Walking netball or chair yoga are great for building up your confidence – there are lots of other modified sports you could try – search for inclusive sports groups in your area
REFERENCES
ASTHMA UK. GETTING ACTIVE WHEN YOU HAVE ASTHMA. AUG 2019. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.ASTHMA.ORG.UK/ADVICE/LIVING-WITH-ASTHMA/EXERCISE-AND-ACTIVITIES/
ASTHMA AUSTRALIA (N.D.). WHAT IS ASTHMA? RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://ASTHMA.ORG.AU/ABOUT-ASTHMA/UNDERSTANDING-ASTHMA/WHAT-IS-ASTHMA/
NATIONAL ASTHMA COUNCIL AUSTRALIA (N.D.). EXERCISE TRIGGERS MY ASTHMA. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.NATIONALASTHMA.ORG.AU/LIVING-WITH-ASTHMA/RESOURCES/PATIENTS-CARERS/FACTSHEETS/EXERCISE-TRIGGERS-MY-ASTHMA
DEL GIACCO, S. R., FIRINU, D., BJERMER, L. CARLSEN, K. EXERCISE AND ASTHMA: AN OVERVIEW. EUR CLIN RESPIR J. 2015; 2: 10.3402/ECRJ.V2.27984.
AUTHOR: ELLIE GRIFFIN
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