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 The Role of Self-Management
Community members, including people with asthma and EIB, can provide an environment supportive of physical activity simply by being aware of nonmedical preventive measures for attacks, and by providing easy access to necessary medication. The following table provides information on key interventions for preventing an asthma or EIB episode:
| Asthma |
- If you have been prescribed daily-inhaled anti-inflammatories, use them every day, even when you feel well.
- Use your prescribed beta2-agonist (albuterol) 15 minutes prior to warming up.
- Warm up for 10-15 minutes whenever possible.
- Breathe through your nose whenever possible.
- Know and avoid your other asthma triggers.
- Avoid exercising outside in the early morning hours between 5 and 10 am when pollen is at its highest if pollen is one of your triggers.
- Avoid exercising outside on medium or high ozone days.
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| Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) |
- Use your prescribed beta2-agonist (albuterol) 15 minutes prior to warming-up.
- Warming up is essential for people with EIB. Warming up induces a refractory period that can additionally prevent episodes from occurring during the course of physical activity. This does not necessarily exist for people who have asthma.
- Breathe through your nose whenever possible.
- Avoid exercising outside on medium or high ozone days.
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| For detailed information on air quality in your community visit the Department of Environmental Quality?s website |
Being prepared for a worst case scenario, an asthma or EIB attack, can be as simple as knowing the following interventions:
| Signs of Trouble |
Action |
| Difficulty breathing or speaking, excessive coughing and/or wheezing 8-10 minutes after activity has been completed. |
Use the short-acting beta2-agonist (albuterol).
If no difference in 5-10 minutes, call 911.
Remain calm. |
| Breathing problems that occur during physical activity. |
Stop activity.
Use short-acting beta2-agonist.
If medication is not available, help person relax.
Call 911 if not better in 5-10 minutes.
Person should visit their regular health care provider to develop a plan for getting their asthma under control. |
| Breathing problems that occur within the first 5 minutes of physical activity. |
Stop activity.
Use short-acting beta2-agonist.
Person should see health care provider as soon as possible to adjust their workout and health (asthma) management plan accordingly |
While physical activity should be strongly encouraged among people with asthma and EIB, it is important that breathing problems are acknowledged, and the activity is modified when necessary. Providers and physically active people need to be aware that trouble breathing during or after physical activity could be an indicator of either EIB or asthma, and that both of these are controllable. Moreover, it is important to manage these disorders appropriately so that physical activity is not limited.
Getting Started If you have asthma and want to be physically active, the following activities may be a helpful guide to get you started. Remember, breathing problems related to physical activity may indicate a more severe problem, and should always be evaluated by a qualified health care provider.
- Yoga
- Swimming
- Water aerobics
- Walking
- Golf
- Softball
- Walk up a couple flights of stairs instead of using the elevator
- Walk around your office, or neighborhood a few times a day
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