Exercise-induced asthma is a real concern for athletes competing at the Olympics. Add to that the fact that this medical condition is more common in cold climates, and the Winter Olympics is a prime location for these kinds of asthma attacks.
Norwegian cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen has asthma but still managed to get a bronze medal in the 10 km race. With the right management of asthma symptoms, exercise-induced asthma clearly does not have to get the better of you.
Cold is an exacerbation of exercise-induced asthma. Cold, dry air intensifies the affect of exercise and can cause bronchoconstriction. This is because the cold dry air create an additional irritation for the lungs and airways: cold air cools airways and dry air causes evaporation, removing the moisture from sensitive tissues. This triggers constriction.
Olympian athletes will have to carry a key item: a bronchodilator medication to relax airways. Unfortunately, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will have to sign off on your medications, or you could find yourself disqualified. Most asthmatic Olympians will be using their bronchodilator about 10 to 15 minutes before they have to perform: this will ward off an asthma attack.
It’s not just about drug therapy though: you can take a number of precautions that will help ward off asthma attacks.
- Warm up before exercising
- Breathe through your nose! Your nose actually helps to warm and moisten air
- On really cold days, wear a scarf over your nose and mouth. This also helps to warm and moisten air before it hits your airways.
Source: CNN Health
