| If you suffer from asthma, you probably think | | | | |
| that you can't exercise properly or safely. | | | | Now that you know what you know about asthma, |
| Contrary to what many think of this subject, | | | | you may be wondering where exercise fits in. |
| there are ways that you can get in shape and | | | | As most doctors will tell you, you shouldn't |
| exercise, even if you suffer from asthma. | | | | give up on sports or exercise at all. You |
| | | | just have to be smart about how you play and |
| Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is | | | | take special pre cautions to avoid attacks. |
| marked by characteristics such as coughing, | | | | |
| wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest | | | | Almost all doctors agree that the best way to |
| tightness. Asthma tends to occur with people | | | | prevent attacks during exercise is to keep |
| who are genetically or environmentally | | | | your inhaler and medication close by. You |
| presdisposed to the condition. | | | | should never use the inhaler more than 3 |
| | | | times during a gameor exercise session. If |
| Some of the triggers that may start or make | | | | you are up the previous night with coughing |
| an attack worse include exposure to | | | | and wheezing, it's always best to go light |
| allergens, viral respiratory infections, | | | | with your exercise the next day. |
| airway irritants, exercise, and exposure to | | | | |
| things such as dust mites or cockroaches. | | | | For something known as IEA (Exercise Induced |
| | | | Asthma), the symptoms are somewhat different, |
| You can prevent asthma attacks by doing the | | | | in the fact that they appear after 6 – |
| following: | | | | 10 minutes of exercise and will often be |
| | | | worse in cold or dry air. |
| 1. Bathe your pets weekly. | | | | |
| | | | If you have IEA, there are several activities |
| 2. Don't smoke or permit smoking in your | | | | that you can enjoy such as swimming, walking, |
| home. | | | | biking, downhill skiing, and team based |
| | | | sports. There are many activities for you to |
| 3. When mold or pollent counts are high, you | | | | choose from, to ensureyou get the exercise |
| should stay inside with air conditioning. | | | | you need as well. |
| | | | |
| 4. Wash your bedding and any stuffed toys at | | | | Keep in mind that the condition of asthma |
| least once per week in hot water. | | | | isn't "all in your head", it is a real |
| | | | physiological medical treatment that will |
| 5. Wash your hands every chance you get. | | | | require treatment to prevent and treat. Even |
| | | | though your doctor will be your best friend |
| 6. Get a flu shot. | | | | in treating asthma, you are the one who can |
| | | | prevent your symptoms. |
| 7. Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose in | | | | |
| the winter months. | | | | Always be smart, take your medication, and be |
| | | | proactive. Don't let it put you in a life of |
| 8. Be proactive and know your triggers and | | | | misery – as you can enjoy exercise just |
| how you should avoid them. | | | | like everyone else. |