EXERCISE-INDUCED ASTHMA

by Herman Falsetti, M.D.

Asthma is a common illness which is characterized by wheezing. It is episodic and the wheezing is due to the narrowing of lung airways. It occurs in approximately 5% of the general population.

Approximately 10-20% of athletes have a special type of asthma which only occurs during high intensity or maximal exercise and is called exercise-induced asthma. Sixty-seven of the 597 U.S. athletes in the 1984 L.A. Olympic Games had exercise-induced asthma. These 67 athletes won 41 medals.

Symptoms: Wheezing or shortness of breath during exercise at or near anaerobic threshold.

Diagnosis: The diagnosis is made by history, physical exam, and lung function tests at rest and after exercise.

Treatment: Symptoms are eased by use of medication. The medication of choice is Albuterol. It is marketed as an inhaler under the trade name of Ventolin or Proventil. The inhaler is used 10-15 minutes before a training ride or race. The only medications approved by the International Olympic Committee for exercise-induced asthma are Albuterol, Tebutaline, Metaproterenol, Cromolyn Sodium and Theophylline. The following medications are not approved: Epinephrine (Primatene Mist), Isoproterenol, decongestants (Ephedrine, Pseudoephrine, Phenylephrine, Etc.).

Factors that may provoke symptoms are:

1) cold air

2) dry air

3) aspirin

4) celery

5) peanuts

6) shrimp

Preventive measures:

1) Keep a diary and note when exercise-induced asthma occurs and try to relate symptoms to trigger factors such as cold air during early morning rides, ingestion of Chinese food 4 hours before exercising, etc., then avoid these conditions.

2) Work on controlling your breathing to make it slower. (The faster you breathe the more bronchial airways dry out.)

3) Avoid dehydration.

4) Train with a heart rate monitor and note at what heart rate symptoms occur.

If you have questions or wish to have medical testing done call: Dr. Herman Falsetti at 949 727 1900.