It’s great to go for a run on a crisp fall day.
Maybe a little wheezing.
No, you’re not suddenly out of shape.
Don’t stop reading!
This is far more common, and more underdiagnosed, than a lot of athletes and recreational exercisers realize.
So if it turns out you’re among them, you’re in good company.
(As an aside, scientists have plenty of competing theories for why elite athletes so commonly have asthma.
Another possibility is that asthma gives athletes an edge somehow.
I certainly wasn’t one of those kids who had to carry an inhaler around.
It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that it dawned on me that maybe Ididhave asthma.
My mother suggested asking my doctor for an inhaler.
It tends to happen less often when I’m in the habit of running often.
Bingothat’s a perfect match for exercise-induced asthma.
Doctors will debate the best name for this condition.
Others, like me, might have other triggers (like allergies or respiratory infections).
If your asthma is more involved, there may be other medications discussed.
Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth, as much as possible.
(Your nose warms the cold air before it hits your lungs.)
Do a thorough warmup before attempting any hard exercise.
Think 20 minutes gradually ramping up, with some brief sprints toward the end of the warmup.
(These sprints may actually prevent you from wheezing later in the workout.)
Avoid very cold or dry weather.
Use your inhaler as prescribed.
You may be advised to take two puffs of your blue/rescue inhaler about 20 minutes before exercise.
Here are some of the others that may help you, that arenotthe same as exercise-induced asthma.
If you just get an occasional phlegmmy cough that doesnt really bother you, no biggie.
(It can also trigger exercise-induced asthma if youre already prone to it.)
Some heart conditionscan cause symptoms including shortness of breath and pressure in the chest.
Get checked out if theres any chance this is the case.
If you have exercise-induced asthma, you probably recognized yourself in the descriptions of the symptoms above.
If not, consider whether your cough might be brought on by one of the causes above.
