yulius hermanto
Exercise For Asthma: Good or Bad?
Asthma is chronic inflammation of the breathing passages (bronchi) of the lungs. The inflammation respons are triggered by allergen, basically asthma is allergic response.
Asthma is characterized by sudden attacks of dyspnea, cough, and wheeze separated by periods of mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. The inflammatory reaction of asthma is triggered by external factors or specific situations. When a person with asthma is exposed to one of his or her triggers, the inflammation worsens and symptoms begin. Fortunately, the airway obstruction in asthma attack is reversible.
Each individual with asthma has his or her own specific trigger or set of triggers. These triggers generally are related to the way we breathe or the condition of the atmosphere we breathe in. Triggers include contaminants in the air, such as smoke, pollution, vapors, dust, or other particles; respiratory infections, such as colds and flu (viruses); allergens in the air, such as molds, animal dander, and pollen; extremes of temperature or humidity; and emotional stress.
The prevalence of asthma is about 5-7% of general population, the disease affects people of all races and ethnic groups worldwide, from infancy to old age, with slightly more boys than girls affected and, after puberty, more women than men. Dramatic increases in the prevalence of atopy and asthma have occurred over the past few decades in Westernized countries and more recently in less-developed nations. Estimates suggest that as many as 300 million persons are affected worldwide.
Exercise and Asthma
Exercise is a double-edged sword for asthma patients. Exercise is a common trigger for asthmatic attack, but in the other side, exercise can be used in helping asthma control.
Normal physical activities without any limitation is one of the goals of asthma treatment. Asthma has become a giant wall for patients to begin the exercise, most of them are afraid of having attack during the exercise. Well, it's true that basic of asthma is prevention, patient actually has recognized the triggers and avoid it. But, does exercise so bad?
I'll try to explain it in simple words: When we are at rest, we breathe through our nose, which serves to warm, humidify, and cleanse the air that we inhale to make it more like the air in the lungs. But, when we are exercising, you breathe through our mouth, and the air that hits our lungs is colder and drier. The contrast between the warm air in the lungs and the cold inhaled air or the dry inhaled air and moist air in the lungs, can trigger an attack. Once the attack is triggered, the airways begin to swell (bronchospasm) and secrete large amounts of mucus.
If the airways is obstructed, our breathing become discomfort, we experience hunger of air, chest tightness, etc. So, clearly exercise can induce an asthma attack.
Does the exercise has any benefit for asthma patients? Yes, It does. As long as your asthma is under control, exercising is recommended to keep your lungs and body in good shape. Exercise offers benefits such as: strengthen the breathing muscles, boost our immune system, and keep a healthy body weight. All of these benefits can improve asthma in the long run.
The key of exercise in asthma patient is "having asthma under-controlled." Asthma can't be cured with our current knowledges, but it can be controlled therefore helps in achieving normal activities.
Exercise that suits asthma
Activities with focus on endurance and aerobic, suit best for asthma patients. Swimming, which is a strong endurance sport, is generally well tolerated by many people with asthma because it is usually performed in a warm, moist air environment. It is also an excellent activity for maintaining physical fitness.
Other beneficial activities for people with asthma include both outdoor and indoor biking, aerobics, walking, or running on a treadmill.
Prepare before Exercise
- Always use pre-exercise asthma inhalers (inhaled bronchodilators) before beginning exercise.
- Perform warm-up exercises and maintain an appropriate cool-down period after exercise.
- If the weather is cold, exercise indoors or wear a mask or scarf over nose and mouth.
- If you have allergic asthma, avoid exercising outdoors when pollen counts are high and when there is high air pollution.
- Restrict exercise when you have a viral infection, like a cold.
- Exercise at a level that is appropriate for you.
Remember: asthma is not a reason to avoid exercise. With proper diagnosis and the most effective treatment, you should be able to enjoy the benefits of an exercise program without experiencing asthma symptoms.
.
Asthma is characterized by sudden attacks of dyspnea, cough, and wheeze separated by periods of mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. The inflammatory reaction of asthma is triggered by external factors or specific situations. When a person with asthma is exposed to one of his or her triggers, the inflammation worsens and symptoms begin. Fortunately, the airway obstruction in asthma attack is reversible.
The prevalence of asthma is about 5-7% of general population, the disease affects people of all races and ethnic groups worldwide, from infancy to old age, with slightly more boys than girls affected and, after puberty, more women than men. Dramatic increases in the prevalence of atopy and asthma have occurred over the past few decades in Westernized countries and more recently in less-developed nations. Estimates suggest that as many as 300 million persons are affected worldwide.
Exercise and Asthma
Exercise is a double-edged sword for asthma patients. Exercise is a common trigger for asthmatic attack, but in the other side, exercise can be used in helping asthma control.
Normal physical activities without any limitation is one of the goals of asthma treatment. Asthma has become a giant wall for patients to begin the exercise, most of them are afraid of having attack during the exercise. Well, it's true that basic of asthma is prevention, patient actually has recognized the triggers and avoid it. But, does exercise so bad?
I'll try to explain it in simple words: When we are at rest, we breathe through our nose, which serves to warm, humidify, and cleanse the air that we inhale to make it more like the air in the lungs. But, when we are exercising, you breathe through our mouth, and the air that hits our lungs is colder and drier. The contrast between the warm air in the lungs and the cold inhaled air or the dry inhaled air and moist air in the lungs, can trigger an attack. Once the attack is triggered, the airways begin to swell (bronchospasm) and secrete large amounts of mucus.
If the airways is obstructed, our breathing become discomfort, we experience hunger of air, chest tightness, etc. So, clearly exercise can induce an asthma attack.
Does the exercise has any benefit for asthma patients? Yes, It does. As long as your asthma is under control, exercising is recommended to keep your lungs and body in good shape. Exercise offers benefits such as: strengthen the breathing muscles, boost our immune system, and keep a healthy body weight. All of these benefits can improve asthma in the long run.
The key of exercise in asthma patient is "having asthma under-controlled." Asthma can't be cured with our current knowledges, but it can be controlled therefore helps in achieving normal activities.
Exercise that suits asthma
Activities with focus on endurance and aerobic, suit best for asthma patients. Swimming, which is a strong endurance sport, is generally well tolerated by many people with asthma because it is usually performed in a warm, moist air environment. It is also an excellent activity for maintaining physical fitness.
Other beneficial activities for people with asthma include both outdoor and indoor biking, aerobics, walking, or running on a treadmill.
Prepare before Exercise
- Always use pre-exercise asthma inhalers (inhaled bronchodilators) before beginning exercise.
- Perform warm-up exercises and maintain an appropriate cool-down period after exercise.
- If the weather is cold, exercise indoors or wear a mask or scarf over nose and mouth.
- If you have allergic asthma, avoid exercising outdoors when pollen counts are high and when there is high air pollution.
- Restrict exercise when you have a viral infection, like a cold.
- Exercise at a level that is appropriate for you.
Remember: asthma is not a reason to avoid exercise. With proper diagnosis and the most effective treatment, you should be able to enjoy the benefits of an exercise program without experiencing asthma symptoms.
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