Medication before exercise may also be needed to keep asthma at bay. The allergist will frequently prescribe a preventative medicine, generally in an inhaler form, to be taken before exercise, and repeated as needed. Oral medication may also be required to relieve symptoms when the inhalers are not totally effective. When asthma is a result of exercise, simply resting, generally no more than 15 minutes, may allow stmptoms time to disappear. This rapid refief cannot always be depended upon, so asthma patients should consult their doctor before starting any new exercise regimen.
Exercise is an essential part of a healthy routine for everybody, including people with asthma.
Instead of advising asthma patients against over-working themselves, today's physician views exercise as an essential component in helping those with asthma strengthen their bodies and minds. Certainly there will be more than one asthma sufferer competing in the upcoming Olympics. Asthma may couse some people to alter their exercise regimens, especially during the cold winter months. However, after getting the necessary guidance from their physicians, few people with asthma will find they must abandon exercise altogether. 1998 Louise H. Bethea, M.D. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission is prohibited.