Symptoms

• EIA symptoms often begin about five to 20 minutes after starting to exercise, and they peak about five to 10 minutes after stopping. Symptoms diminish and typically disapper within an hour, but they may last longer. They include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and fatigue. These symptoms can make it very difficult to exercise, and in severe instances where not treated, properly can lead to an asthma emergency.
  
  To determine if you have EIA, your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and perform a breathing test before you exercise and another after you exercise.
  
  

Medications

• If you suspect you have EIA, it is important to see a doctor who can help you treat and prevent asthma symptoms. If treated properly, EIA doesn't have to restrict your physical activity. Your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following medicines:
  
  A short-acting bronchodilator (albuterol) such as Proventil or Ventolin or ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate). You should use this medicine 15 minutes before you exercise. The effects will last up to four hours.
  
  A mast cell stabilizer such as cromolyn sodium or nedocromil sodium (Tilade). This will be used 15 to 60 minutes before exercising.
  
  A long-acting bronchodilator (salmeterol) like Servent Diskus or Foradil (formoterol). These are used 30 minutes before exercise and last for up to 12 hours. These are used along with inhaled corticosteroids.
  
  Other medicines that may be prescribed include a leukotreine modifier, such as Singulair or Accolate, or a corticosteroid inhaler, such as Flovent or Azmacort, to relieve inflammation in the airways.
  
  

How to Exercise When You Have EIA

• It is important that you avoid exercising on high pollen count days and in cold weather. Breathe through your nose when you exercise, this will warm and filter the air you breathe in. Be sure to warm up and cool down for 15 minutes before and after you exercise.
  
  

The Best Types of Exercise

• Consider swimming as a form of exercise. Swimming is often a good exercise for people with EIA due to the high humidity from the pool water. Sports that are less likely to trigger an asthma require short bursts of activity interspersed with breaks, such as walking, bike riding (but not racing), hiking, short-distance track events, softball or baseball, golf, football, volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics.
  
  

Keep Exercising

• Exercise is beneficial for your physical health and emotional well-being. So if you experience asthma symptoms when you exercise, it's important that you seek proper medical attention, educate yourself about asthma and follow the plan prescribed by your doctor. Almost all people with EIA should be able to exercise to their full ability with appropriate diagnosis and treatment.