Q: Please explain what happens during an asthma attack and what steps one can take to avoid experiencing an attack during exercise.
While the cause of an asthma
attack often varies from one person
to another, the process is relatively
straightforward. During an asthma
attack, the bronchioles (small
branches of the airways that distribute
air throughout the lungs) transiently
narrow because the muscles
surrounding them go into spasm. In
turn, this narrowing, referred to as
"bronchospasm," restricts the
amount of air flow to the alveoli
(tiny air sacs deep in the lungs that
serve as the terminal branches of
the respiratory tract where oxygen
and carbon dioxide are exchanged).
When a bronchospasm occurs, individuals
experience the symptoms of
asthma (e.g., coughing, wheezing,
labored breathing, etc.).
Ample evidence suggests that regular
participation in appropriate exercise may
actually help asthmatics better cope with
the condition. Among the guidelines that
asthmatics should follow to ensure that
their exercise programs are both safe and
effective are:
- Select an exercise that raises the heart
rate, increases the respiratory rate,
and is relatively easy on the lungs.
Swimming, for example, is one of the
best-tolerated forms of exercise.
- Avoid asthma triggers as much as possible.
For example, asthmatics allergic
to pollen should exercise indoors.
- Avoid exercising outdoors on either
polluted or cold, dry days. Wear a
mask or a scarf to warm and moisten
the inspired air if the exercise bout
must occur outside on a cold day.
Whenever possible, exercise in warm,
humid air.
- Perform specific breathing exercises
to strengthen the lungs (for example,
pursed-lip breathing).
- Use ratings of perceived exertion in
conjunction with target heart rate to
regulate exercise intensity, since many
of the asthma medications can alter
heart-rate response to exercise.
- Pre-medicate prior to exercising (within
30 minutes prior to engaging in
activity).
- Keep an inhaler on hand while exercising.
- Perform warm-up exercises for an
extended period of time (more than
five minutes) prior to working out.
- Avoid sudden, intense exercise for prolonged
periods of time.
- Breathe through the nose as much as
possible while exercising.
- Avoid hyperventilation by using a controlled
breathing pattern.
Source: Dr. Cedric X. Bryant, ACE's Chief Science Officer; ACE FitnessMatters, Jan/Feb 2006.
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