Asthma and exercise If you have asthma, you don't have to sit on the sidelines when it comes to exercise. That hasn't always been the case. Years ago, doctors told people to avoid exercise if they had asthma. And today, there's still a myth that having asthma means working out is off-limits. In reality, doctors know that regular, well-planned workouts can benefit you in many ways. If you're fit, your heart and lungs don't have to work as hard. And pharmaceutical companies asthma asthma children sports staying in shape can help reduce your risk of many serious health conditions - including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some types of cancer. Video: An asthma attack "Even patients with severe asthma can exercise," says James Li, M.D., an allergy and asthma specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. "If you take your medication regularly, you can exercise normally." But because vigorous exercise can trigger asthma attacks, Dr. Li recommends using a short-acting beta agonist inhaler, such as albuterol (Proventil, asthma children sports asthma children sports Ventolin) or pirbuterol (Maxair), to dilate your bronchial tubes 15 to 30 minutes before exercising. Inhaled ipratropium (Atrovent) is an alternative bronchodilator that can be used before exercise. Salmeterol (Serevent) and formoterol (Foradil) are long-acting inhaled bronchodilators that may be suitable for use before longer periods of exercise. All of these are prescription medications. Dr. Li also recommends the following precautions. Exercise only when: You're free of any viral infections, such as a cold. The weather is accommodating. Cold-weather activities, such as journal of asthma asthma children sports skiing, often trigger an attack. You may be better off exercising in warmer, more humid air, which you can do with indoor swimming, for instance. You're properly warmed up. Five to 10 minutes of stretching or light exercise can help relax and widen your airways. You've chosen your exercise wisely. Less vigorous exercise, such as walking and golfing, may be a better option if strenuous exercise triggers your asthma. If you start to feel your asthma symptoms coming on during asthma mould connection asthma children sports a workout, you
