Exercise tips for asthma patients

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways that carry air to and from the lungs. In asthmatics, the inside walls of these airways become inflamed and swollen making them narrower, leading to difficulty in breathing, wheezing and coughing.

Typically, air pollution, pollen, dust, smog, smoke, and change in season as well as infections trigger an asthma attack. Sometimes, intense exercise can trigger it too. This is because during normal breathing, the air you take in is warmed and moistened by the nasal passages, but during intense exercise you tend to breathe through your mouth as well-inhaling colder, drier air.

Since the airways are sensitive to these changes in temperature and humidity, they react and become narrow, making it difficult to breathe. But you don't need to avoid exercise, just being cautious can prevent it. Here's what you should keep in mind.

Monitor your exercise intensity to avoid getting breathless. Exercise at an easy pace, especially when the weather is tricky. Don't skip a warm-up and a cool down-these help prepare the body for a sweat session and also help recover.

Opt for indoor workouts-especially on days when there is excessive pollen or pollution in the air. If it's necessary to work out outdoors, use a mask which covers your nose and mouth to avoid irritations.

Check with your doc about using an asthma inhaler (bronchodilator) before you begin your workout. You may be advised to use this even in between intense exercise if you get too breathless. If it doesn't help, it's better to discontinue that session.

Try cycling, swimming, yoga, t'ai chi, Pilates as well as sports like badminton and table tennis. These help you stay fit minus too much exertion.

Avoid exercising during a bout of chest infections, viral fever or cough and cold. It's best to keep your doc in the loop if you're facing any unusual symptoms of asthma, especially while exercising.