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Asthma Management: Exercise Safety
Asthma Management: Exercise SafetyExercise is healthy for everyone, even for people with asthma. Having asthma should not prevent you frombeing active.But some people find that exercise is a trigger for their asthma. It is dangerous to exercise if your asthma ispoorly controlled. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn what types of physical activities are safe for you.Here are some tips to prevent your symptoms from flaring up when exercising: Do warm-up exercises forabout 10 to 15 minutes before beginning your activity, and cool down stretches for 10 to 15 minutes directlyafter. Breathe through your nose while exercising, rather than through the mouth.Gentle activities such as walking or golfing are less likely to cause problems than more strenuous ones. Paceyourself. Activities that use short bursts of energy, like bowling or softball, are preferable to ones that requirecontinuous exertion, such as running or soccer.Consider exercising indoors when it’s very hot and humid or very cold and dry; when there is a “heat advisory”or when ozone, pollen, or pollution levels are high. Cover your face with a scarf if you are exercising in coldweather. This helps to warm the air and prevents cold air from triggering your asthma. And avoid exercisingwhen you have a cold or other illness.Drink plenty of water before and after exercise. Drinking helps to replace water lost through perspiration andhelps to prevent you from becoming overheated.If exercise is a trigger for you, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you exercise properly withasthma. You may be told to take your rescue medication before you begin your exercise program.And if you feel symptoms at any time during your activity, stop and take another dose of medication rightaway.“Some people who have exercise-induced asthma do very well by using their rescue inhaler 15 minutesbefore exercise, and that’s often enough for them. Some people find they need a stronger treatment,so then they may also need a daily controller medicine on top of their as-needed inhaler and that leadsto even better exercise control. So there’s really different techniques and different regimens that canbe used.”If you have any questions about exercising safely with asthma, talk with your healthcare provider.Together, you will determine the best way to manage your exercise-related symptoms so you can enjoyan active lifestyle.Page 1 ofThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
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