1. Community
  2. Chest and lungs
  3. Asthma

Exercise induced asthma?

Posted , 5 users are following.

njnova
njnova

A couple of years ago, I quit smoking and starting exercising. I saw a doctor because I had difficulty breathing while exercising and the doctor suggested it was exercise induced asthma (prescribed inhaler). I never really took it seriously, because I thought maybe it was just from the smoking, and well, I just wasn't serious enough about quitting and such (didn't last long at all).

Fast forward 5 years or so to now. I've been smoke free for over 3 months, didn't have any problems with a cough after quitting. Started exercising and a calorie deficit perhaps 1.5 months after quitting (need to lose about 20kg) and it was okay. Found myself a little short of breath but nothing out of the ordinary for someone quitting I guess. After 2 months of pretty intense exercise, I've found my breathing getting more and more difficult, and now I have developed quite a wheezy cough. It starts during exercise and lasts through to the next day now.

Is it likely exercise induced asthma or something else because of my smoking history? I thought at over 3 months in my physical condition would be getting better, not worse? I also get a blocked nose all the time which makes things even more difficult, a problem I've yet to find a solution to.

I know I should see my doctor, but I've seen her recently for other problems coming up from exercise, and I feel it's just another thing and she'll tell me to back off (I shouldn't feel that way but I do). So looking for advice really.

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • claire80788
    claire80788

    Posted

    Sorry I can't offer you any advice on your condition. But well done for quitting smoking. I smoked for 15 years, the last 5 I was smoking particularly heavy.

    I managed to give up to everyones surprise, when I'm asked about quitting I can say in no uncertain terms it's the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

  • alison21312
    alison21312

    Posted

    I've been suffering from asthma almost all my life and all I can say is that it is all relative. It depends on what kind of exercises you do - I can do almost everything without having any asthmatic symptoms - swimming, cycling, gym, zumba, pilates etc but I just cannot do jogging. Every time I try I just cant breathe, my face turns red and I cannot catch my breath, it stays like this hours after running attempt. So I am afraid that your asthma might have been induced by your smoking history and not just excessive ,shall we call it, exercises
  • martinbell81
    martinbell81 njnova

    Posted

    Sounds like exercise induced asthma to me, but it's all dependent on the intensity of exercise and the environment. Cold, dry air is the worst. For example an air conditioned gym with no humidity control will have cool dry air - not ideal. Swimming pools are warm and humid and don't usually give people problems. I'm fine with gentle exercise like jogging and cycling, but sprinting and interval training can be tricky. 

    I'm 33, was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma at the age of 10. I've been taking all types of inhalers over the years (ventolin and bricanyl, becotide and symbicort). When I exercise, my heart rate goes up and I breath faster and heavier followed by wheezing. If I take the blue inhalers beforehand then you wouldn't know I have asthma at all. I'm not convinced the preventers are doing anything for me. 

    Anyway, I've been playing team sports all my life and our pre-season training is always outside in the evenings throughout january and february. The cold really aggrevates my asthma to the point where I lag behind. Taking two (or sometimes three) puffs helps but can't relieve the wheezing altogether. 

    I've been reading about intal inhaler - has anyone heard of this, have any experience? 

  • jessof89
    jessof89 njnova

    Posted

    it does sound like asthma to me, i recently got diagnosed again with after aged 24 from having it as a child and the dr said to me that your lugs can adjust to what your body minimally needs over time but then once something changes e.g lifestyle your lungs can go into overdrive which causes asthma symptoms.

    as for the blocked nose it may be that you suffer from rhinitis,the best thing for that is de congestiants and a nasal spray.

    also to note rhinitis can make asthma symptoms worse also so you should definitely give my suggestions a go. if it works then tell your dr smile

    hope this has helped.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.