As an athlete or an active person, it can be difficult to compete when you have exercise-induced asthma, but it isn’t impossible. All you need to do is make some necessary adjustments before games and workouts and take the proper medication. You can find some tips for overcoming exercise-induced asthma below.
Warm Up
A great way to allow your airways to adjust before exercising is to do a 10-minute warm-up beforehand. Cooling down after a game or workout is a good idea as well, especially after you have completed a lot of cardio. Warming up comes with other benefits as well, such as preventing injury, which is why you should make it a part of your pre-workout or pregame routine.
Let Your Body Recover
If you recently suffered a cold or any other kind of sickness, you’ll want to fully recover from that sickness before you start exercising again. There’s a common belief that you can “sweat out” a sickness, but that isn’t necessarily true, and being sick while working out can make matters worse for you and the people around you. Be patient and wait until you are feeling well again before you start doing rigorous physical activity.
Don’t Exercise in Cold Temperatures
In addition to not working out when your body is still recovering, you should also avoid exercise in cold temperatures. Cold temperatures can exacerbate asthma symptoms, so you are better off exercising indoors during the winter months.
Play Sports That Require Less Endurance
Sports such as soccer, basketball, ice hockey, and lacrosse require a lot of endurance. A better option for someone who suffers from exercise-induced asthma is to play sports like baseball, football, wrestling, swimming, track, or gymnastics that only require intermediate bursts of energy.
Take Medication Before
A final tip for overcoming exercise-induced asthma is to take medication before exercising. If you’re looking for an allergist in Houston, TX, who can tailor your asthma medication for your needs, the doctors at Allergy and ENT Associates are ready and willing to help.
