Exercise-Induced Asthma: Treatment and Management

Course overview

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA), also known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, is a disorder in which respiratory distress is associated with histamine release. The disorder is often triggered by some form of aerobic exercise and may last anywhere from two to 10 minutes. Symptoms of EIA may resemble those of an allergic asthmatic attack or the symptoms may be vague and go unnoticed. The ideal management of EIA is prevention. The primary therapy for EIA is preventative, using a short- or rapid-acting inhaled beta2-agonist 15 to 30 minutes before exercise. With proper treatment and awareness, the prognosis is good for most people who exercise. If adequate treatment is undertaken, there should be no reason why athletic performance should be limited.