Exercise with asthma
jodiealgar
Posts: 43 Member
I have recently joined a gym but I am having problems with doing more than 45 minutes without struggling to breathe (mainly because of the heat coming from my body and the small gym room itself) which then leads on to an asthma attack. It happens almost every time I use a machine other than the rowing machine.
Does anyone have any tips or advice that could help me healthily exercise?
Does anyone have any tips or advice that could help me healthily exercise?
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Replies
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Go outside. More then a few have learned to workout with asthma; some do marathons.0
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45 minutes??? you're fine. you're probably at that point, exhausted and tired. you probably just need to breathe better (in through the nose, out through the mouth).
have your inhaler on hand if you use one. personally, i control my asthma with a daily pill. maybe talk to your doctor about changing medicine.0 -
Capt_Apollo wrote: »45 minutes??? you're fine. you're probably at that point, exhausted and tired. you probably just need to breathe better (in through the nose, out through the mouth).
have your inhaler on hand if you use one. personally, i control my asthma with a daily pill. maybe talk to your doctor about changing medicine.
Thanks! I do feel a bit silly taking puffs of my inhaler in front of all of the fit and healthy people who do 2 hours solid on a treadmill, damn lungs.
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_Terrapin_ wrote: »Go outside. More then a few have learned to workout with asthma; some do marathons.
I would absolutely not recommend running outside with asthma; especially this time of year, allergens such as pollen could also trigger an attack, especially given the increased demands with exercise.
I work in pulmonary rehabilitation (basically physical therapy for the lungs) with many patients with asthma. Our course of treatment over 15 weeks is to have them work at a level that produces a 2-3/10 rating on shortness of breath, and keep increasing the workload as you feel you are more able to breath with increased workloads.
In asthma cases its really important that you warm up and cool down slowly, as rapid changes in temperature or humidity of the air you are breathing can trigger an attack. If you find that you are getting too hot which is setting your attacks off, you might look into having a fan nearby. I would also recommend looking up pursed lipped breathing.
Finally I would recommend talking to your doctor; there are some medications that can be used before exercise to help prevent an attack, and remember that advice given on the internet can never replace the in person opinions of a doctor/physical therapist/exercise physiologist0 -
tinygirldancing wrote: »_Terrapin_ wrote: »Go outside. More then a few have learned to workout with asthma; some do marathons.
I would absolutely not recommend running outside with asthma; especially this time of year, allergens such as pollen could also trigger an attack, especially given the increased demands with exercise.
I work in pulmonary rehabilitation (basically physical therapy for the lungs) with many patients with asthma. Our course of treatment over 15 weeks is to have them work at a level that produces a 2-3/10 rating on shortness of breath, and keep increasing the workload as you feel you are more able to breath with increased workloads.
In asthma cases its really important that you warm up and cool down slowly, as rapid changes in temperature or humidity of the air you are breathing can trigger an attack. If you find that you are getting too hot which is setting your attacks off, you might look into having a fan nearby. I would also recommend looking up pursed lipped breathing.
Finally I would recommend talking to your doctor; there are some medications that can be used before exercise to help prevent an attack, and remember that advice given on the internet can never replace the in person opinions of a doctor/physical therapist/exercise physiologist
Thank you for this, I honestly had no idea there was other medication available other than standard inhalers. I shall bring it up during my next appointment.
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I use my inhaler before I exercise ... twice. Once about 30 min before I exercise, and again right before I exercise.
I also use a preventer once a day.
And yes ... talk to your Dr.
As for non-medication methods ... I'm mainly a cyclist, but do other exercise as well.
Warming up and cooling down helps ... but where I live, that's not easy to do because I'm climbing hills within seconds of leaving home.
I have found that focusing on the exhale helps me. Puffing out, and letting my body handle the inhale itself.
Someone else also suggested that perhaps I was overheating on climbs (where I was experiencing my worst symptoms). I tend to be cool on a bicycle, so I probably overdress a bit, and then I encounter a hill, and next thing I know I'm pouring sweat. So I started underdressing a bit, and that seems to have helped a little.0 -
tinygirldancing wrote: »_Terrapin_ wrote: »Go outside. More then a few have learned to workout with asthma; some do marathons.
I would absolutely not recommend running outside with asthma; especially this time of year, allergens such as pollen could also trigger an attack, especially given the increased demands with exercise.
I work in pulmonary rehabilitation (basically physical therapy for the lungs) with many patients with asthma. Our course of treatment over 15 weeks is to have them work at a level that produces a 2-3/10 rating on shortness of breath, and keep increasing the workload as you feel you are more able to breath with increased workloads.
In asthma cases its really important that you warm up and cool down slowly, as rapid changes in temperature or humidity of the air you are breathing can trigger an attack. If you find that you are getting too hot which is setting your attacks off, you might look into having a fan nearby. I would also recommend looking up pursed lipped breathing.
Finally I would recommend talking to your doctor; there are some medications that can be used before exercise to help prevent an attack, and remember that advice given on the internet can never replace the in person opinions of a doctor/physical therapist/exercise physiologist
i do 99.9% of my running outside.
OP, i take cingular nightly. i have a rescue inhaler that i've used about twice in as many years. warm up and cool down properly, and do be mindful of humidity and pollen. personally, i prefer morning runs, they seem to be better for my breathing.
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Capt_Apollo wrote: »tinygirldancing wrote: »_Terrapin_ wrote: »Go outside. More then a few have learned to workout with asthma; some do marathons.
I would absolutely not recommend running outside with asthma; especially this time of year, allergens such as pollen could also trigger an attack, especially given the increased demands with exercise.
I work in pulmonary rehabilitation (basically physical therapy for the lungs) with many patients with asthma. Our course of treatment over 15 weeks is to have them work at a level that produces a 2-3/10 rating on shortness of breath, and keep increasing the workload as you feel you are more able to breath with increased workloads.
In asthma cases its really important that you warm up and cool down slowly, as rapid changes in temperature or humidity of the air you are breathing can trigger an attack. If you find that you are getting too hot which is setting your attacks off, you might look into having a fan nearby. I would also recommend looking up pursed lipped breathing.
Finally I would recommend talking to your doctor; there are some medications that can be used before exercise to help prevent an attack, and remember that advice given on the internet can never replace the in person opinions of a doctor/physical therapist/exercise physiologist
i do 99.9% of my running outside.
OP, i take cingular nightly. i have a rescue inhaler that i've used about twice in as many years. warm up and cool down properly, and do be mindful of humidity and pollen. personally, i prefer morning runs, they seem to be better for my breathing.
Awesome! Outside exercise is definitely possible for people with well controlled asthma, maybe that's something op can work towards. However, if she is already struggling inside, it might be tricky to also add the additional stressors of being outside right away0 -
Iv'e had asthma all my life. And it has been a struggle. It was a lot worse when I was younger. And it still bothers me as an adult. I have a rescue inhaler, (I always take a puff before i start any cardio exercise) But recently I was suddenly getting winded and wheezing shortly into a workout. Or id be fine for a few days and then one random day something would bother me and half a mile into my run i had to stop because of my asthma. Now i have a preventative Inhaler i take everyday and that has pretty much stopped. Running outside for me has never really been a problem, unless its a little cold. Then its a bit more of a struggle and i have to run with this weirdo mask that covers my mouth and nose and makes me look like hannible Lecter. LOL. But yeah talk to a doctor. maybe a preventative inahler would help. It worked for me.0
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I have asthma and run all the time, usually my asthma isn't bad when it's hot but when it's chilly though. Just take two puffs before you exercise or ask your doctor to get on a different medication and have the inhaler as a backup in case of emergencies.
I assume you're looking to lose weight/ become fitter by being on this site which is awesome because I've only lost and kept off 10 pounds over the last two years and it really has improved my asthma! Good luck!0 -
Thank you for the replies everyone! I do have a preventer and a reliever inhaler at the moment. I never really thought of using the preventer before exercise as I was told to only use it first thing when I wake up and last thing when I go to bed.
@_emma_78, that's awesome! I've been told by my doctor already that losing weight will help improve my asthma but it's just losing it without feeling as if my lungs are about to give up on me LOL.0 -
My asthma is always at its worst in the heat, maybe going for a walk or even a slight jog early morning will help before the sun comes up? (Not that it's up much at the moment haha.)0
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I too have asthma, I am on a preventative because its so bad without it(Im talking attacks several times a week with no relief from my rescue inhaler). I take advair which is a corticosteroid and accolate, which is a pill for asthma. I still have a rescue inhaler but very rarely need it due to the other two meds. yoga can help with breathing as well. talk to your dr to see what kind of asthma you have(allergy induced,exercise induced,etc) and then go from there. Before I even started getting fit my asthma still bothered me but since I have started my lung capacity for air is much better,they are much stronger, and I can do more now in the last 2 1/2 years than I could before even with the above meds.
Breathing exercises can help tremendously.you can do like everyone else and take your inhaler before exercise and then after if needed, but definitely talk to your dr and see what he/she thinks is best.0 -
yeah the maintenance(preventer) is only to be taken like it says to take it. do not use it more than its recommended dosage. your rescue inhaler can be taken before exercise(albuterol,ventolin,proair,etc)jodiealgar wrote: »Thank you for the replies everyone! I do have a preventer and a reliever inhaler at the moment. I never really thought of using the preventer before exercise as I was told to only use it first thing when I wake up and last thing when I go to bed.
@_emma_78, that's awesome! I've been told by my doctor already that losing weight will help improve my asthma but it's just losing it without feeling as if my lungs are about to give up on me LOL.
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Thank you @CharlieBeansmomTracey, I've never thought of breathing exercises either. I may have to look into this!0
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yw, it has helped me out a lot and like I said yoga helps you learn how to breathe properly as well. Meditation does too.good luck getting everything sorted out0
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There are weekly yoga classes at the gym I go to which I have always been keen on trying! Even more of a reason to now
thank you @CharlieBeansmomTracey x 0 -
you are very welcome0
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I also have severe asthma and I run and do all kinds of different workouts. I always take two puffs of my rescue inhaler before exercising, and I always have it with me when I go out for my runs just in case. I feel your pain!
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a couple of ideas try some swimming or water based class-it will control the heat for you
Try splitting your workout into 2 parts ie 30 minutes on treadmill some weights or ab work or stretching then 30 minutes on ellipitical
and YE do use your puffers0 -
You should definitely talk to your dr. I have asthma, and my daughter, an athlete, has really severe asthma. For her, Singulair is a godsend. It is a funny drug, according to her pulmonologist, for some people it works, for some it doesn't, and there really isn't a middle ground. She also is prescribed to use 2 puffs of her rescue inhaler before each race, and as needed, up to (I believe) 14 puffs per day (the limit without risking failing a sport drug test). She also uses 2 puffs twice a day of her maintenance steroid.
The key to all of this though, is proper management with a specialist. What one person needs may be completely different than someone else. My son also has asthma, also an athlete, and all he uses is a maintenance steroid, unless he is sick, because that is all his asthma needs.
For myself, I take a few second break to reduce my heart rate when it is too high while working out, that seems to stave off most asthma attacks. And as Capt Apollo said, breathing in through your nose, out through your mouth when you feel one coming on can help. I use this technique regularly.0 -
Talk to your dr. I knoe many of us get used to suffering and think the occasional attack, after exercise for example, is normal, but it is not. Your asthma is not properly managed if this keeps happening.0
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blankiefinder wrote: »You should definitely talk to your dr. I have asthma, and my daughter, an athlete, has really severe asthma. For her, Singulair is a godsend. It is a funny drug, according to her pulmonologist, for some people it works, for some it doesn't, and there really isn't a middle ground. She also is prescribed to use 2 puffs of her rescue inhaler before each race, and as needed, up to (I believe) 14 puffs per day (the limit without risking failing a sport drug test). She also uses 2 puffs twice a day of her maintenance steroid.
The key to all of this though, is proper management with a specialist. What one person needs may be completely different than someone else. My son also has asthma, also an athlete, and all he uses is a maintenance steroid, unless he is sick, because that is all his asthma needs.
For myself, I take a few second break to reduce my heart rate when it is too high while working out, that seems to stave off most asthma attacks. And as Capt Apollo said, breathing in through your nose, out through your mouth when you feel one coming on can help. I use this technique regularly.
if you have to use a rescue inhaler that many times a day that is too much and that means that her asthma is not well controlled with maintenance meds(may need a change or a stronger dose). the point of maintenance meds are to prevent her lungs and bronchials from getting inflamed and needing the rescue inhaler.rescue inhalers are only to be used for tightness,short of breath and weezing .14 puffs is honestly too much. its recommended usage is 2 puffs every 4-6 hrs.
I have been asthmatic since I was 3(my son has it too) and my dr's,(went to regular dr,pulmonologist,and a lung specialist) all told me the same thing. if you have to use it more than recommended that I needed to either take nebulizer treatments,come into the office or go to the E.R. she should only have to take it before her races if on maintenance meds(and maybe after).
I know for me singulair makes my asthma worse. what kind of maintenance meds is she on that calls for 2 puffs twice a day? seems a bit much to be honest.
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I hit my rescue 15 min before exercising and then right before. I'm just lucky and a very minor case tho I di have more problems in the spring.0
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »blankiefinder wrote: »You should definitely talk to your dr. I have asthma, and my daughter, an athlete, has really severe asthma. For her, Singulair is a godsend. It is a funny drug, according to her pulmonologist, for some people it works, for some it doesn't, and there really isn't a middle ground. She also is prescribed to use 2 puffs of her rescue inhaler before each race, and as needed, up to (I believe) 14 puffs per day (the limit without risking failing a sport drug test). She also uses 2 puffs twice a day of her maintenance steroid.
The key to all of this though, is proper management with a specialist. What one person needs may be completely different than someone else. My son also has asthma, also an athlete, and all he uses is a maintenance steroid, unless he is sick, because that is all his asthma needs.
For myself, I take a few second break to reduce my heart rate when it is too high while working out, that seems to stave off most asthma attacks. And as Capt Apollo said, breathing in through your nose, out through your mouth when you feel one coming on can help. I use this technique regularly.
if you have to use a rescue inhaler that many times a day that is too much and that means that her asthma is not well controlled with maintenance meds(may need a change or a stronger dose). the point of maintenance meds are to prevent her lungs and bronchials from getting inflamed and needing the rescue inhaler.rescue inhalers are only to be used for tightness,short of breath and weezing .14 puffs is honestly too much. its recommended usage is 2 puffs every 4-6 hrs.
I have been asthmatic since I was 3(my son has it too) and my dr's,(went to regular dr,pulmonologist,and a lung specialist) all told me the same thing. if you have to use it more than recommended that I needed to either take nebulizer treatments,come into the office or go to the E.R. she should only have to take it before her races if on maintenance meds(and maybe after).
I know for me singulair makes my asthma worse. what kind of maintenance meds is she on that calls for 2 puffs twice a day? seems a bit much to be honest.
Going to take this to PM as it contains information her pulmonologist does not want out there regarding dosage. Her situation is unusual, but was an example that even severe asthma can be managed through the proper use of medications.
My point though, is that you need to work with a knowledgable dr, because as Charliebean's mom said, you shouldn't be having regular attacks if your asthma is well managed. Singulair may or may not be effective, it is an either / or, no middle ground drug as to if it helps or not. Or preventative dosage of 2 puffs of a rescue inhaler before exercise might be needed. That is something you need to work out with your doctor.
In the meantime, short breaks to reduce your heart rate and calm your breathing may be a short term solution, as well as breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth at the first sign of an attack.0 -
Asthma here too. Had a attack yesterday due to hyacinths at one of my patients. Of course, today my lungs are very twitchy. I modified my exercises yesterday.0
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I know for me singulair makes my asthma worse. what kind of maintenance meds is she on that calls for 2 puffs twice a day? seems a bit much to be honest.
Qvar uses 1-2 puffs, 2x a day
It's also the only preventative that has made a difference in my asthma.
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jodiealgar wrote: »Capt_Apollo wrote: »45 minutes??? you're fine. you're probably at that point, exhausted and tired. you probably just need to breathe better (in through the nose, out through the mouth).
have your inhaler on hand if you use one. personally, i control my asthma with a daily pill. maybe talk to your doctor about changing medicine.
Thanks! I do feel a bit silly taking puffs of my inhaler in front of all of the fit and healthy people who do 2 hours solid on a treadmill, damn lungs.
All of the advice you have gotten is solid. I just want to say--you feel silly? Would you feel silly using a cane if you had something wrong with your leg? Asthma has zero to do with how "fit and healthy" you are.0 -
tinygirldancing wrote: »Capt_Apollo wrote: »tinygirldancing wrote: »_Terrapin_ wrote: »Go outside. More then a few have learned to workout with asthma; some do marathons.
I would absolutely not recommend running outside with asthma; especially this time of year, allergens such as pollen could also trigger an attack, especially given the increased demands with exercise.
I work in pulmonary rehabilitation (basically physical therapy for the lungs) with many patients with asthma. Our course of treatment over 15 weeks is to have them work at a level that produces a 2-3/10 rating on shortness of breath, and keep increasing the workload as you feel you are more able to breath with increased workloads.
In asthma cases its really important that you warm up and cool down slowly, as rapid changes in temperature or humidity of the air you are breathing can trigger an attack. If you find that you are getting too hot which is setting your attacks off, you might look into having a fan nearby. I would also recommend looking up pursed lipped breathing.
Finally I would recommend talking to your doctor; there are some medications that can be used before exercise to help prevent an attack, and remember that advice given on the internet can never replace the in person opinions of a doctor/physical therapist/exercise physiologist
i do 99.9% of my running outside.
OP, i take cingular nightly. i have a rescue inhaler that i've used about twice in as many years. warm up and cool down properly, and do be mindful of humidity and pollen. personally, i prefer morning runs, they seem to be better for my breathing.
Awesome! Outside exercise is definitely possible for people with well controlled asthma, maybe that's something op can work towards. However, if she is already struggling inside, it might be tricky to also add the additional stressors of being outside right away
My asthma is only just controlled. I used to run only outside, but I joined the gym in January. I find that exercising out of the cold air has meant my asthma does not stop me pushing the rest of my physical capabilities, so my fitness has improved significantly. I will be starting to run outside again when the weather warms up.
I am on montelukast 10 mg per day, symbicort 200 2 puffs twice per day, and salbutamol as a reliever.
OP: see the doc about getting some better meds, and don't worry about taking your inhaler before/during/after exercise in front of other people. Soooo many people have asthma these days, probably many of the 'fit and healthy' people in the gym have it too.
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Hello All,
I also have a pretty severe asthma, it is actually related to why I don't lose weight that easy. I do not breathe well and While working out and most of the time after I am not taking in enough air to feed my muscles. When you do not get enough air through your system you body slows down and goes into hibernations mode. Blood doesn't circulate as fast so nothing works at optimum speed. My biggest challenge is breathing right all the time. I have been training just to do a workout for years. I need to focus on my breathing all the time. At any point during my workout if I lose focus breathing in and breathing out, say because I want a "push" then the rest of my workout is completely done because Iwill never get mu breathing right from there on without a 30 minute recovery. I can just say focus has worked for me, and definately yoga where you calm your breathing mid workout and force your heart rate to slow. I have seen amazing results in breathing since I started and the longer you are at it, the better and more natural it becomes. Good Luck, i think it will always be a struggle for us. But worth fighting for.
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