How Bodybuilding Can Help You Manage Asthma!

If you have asthma, you've probably grown up with inhalers, doctor's visits, shortness of breath and wheezing when you get sick.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Asthma can lead to wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing that typically occurs at night or early in the morning.

An asthmatic attack is a chain reaction of events including:

1. Reaction to an environmental trigger
2. Inflammation
3. The muscles around the airways react to inflammation
4. The airways narrow
5. Less air flows into the lungs

In addition, cells in the airways can make excess mucus that narrows your airways even more.

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The Symptoms Of Asthma Typically Occur
At Night Or In The Early Morning.

Signs And Symptoms Of Asthma

• Coughing that is typically worse at night or in the early morning
• Wheezing - a whistling like sound when you breathe
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety from shortness of breath

There are several things that can trigger an asthma attack including:

• Allergens such as dust, animal dander, cockroaches, mold, mildew, pollen
• Environmental irritants including cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemicals, smog, cleaning products
• Sulfites in foods or beverages
• Upper respiratory infections
• Exercise
• Some medications

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Environmental Irritants Such As Air
Pollution Can Trigger An Asthma Attack.

How Bodybuilding Can Help You Manage Asthma:

• Bodybuilder's Have Confidence: While some people will use asthma as an excuse not to exercise, bodybuilding has taught you that you can overcome challenges that life brings your way. After all, many famous athletes have asthma including swimmers Tom Dolan, Debbie Meyer and Nancy Hogshead and basketball players Dennis Rodman and Juwan Howard. If they can star in their respective sports while coping with asthma, you can too.
• Bodybuilders Take Medicine When Necessary: Inhalers and other short- or long- acting medicines can help prevent attacks or treat an attack.
• Bodybuilders Actively Manage Their Health: Bodybuilders are very aware of their body and work with their physician on a treatment plan that fits into their lifestyle. Bodybuilders also get asthma checkups frequently.
• Bodybuilders Carry Their Medications With Them At All Times: Just because you have asthma doesn't mean that you've given up on exercise. To the contrary, you know that exercise will help you manage your stress and enhance your health. But, you also carry your asthma medicines with you at all times.

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Inhalers And Other Medicines Can Help
Prevent Attacks Or Treat An Attack.

Additional Tips To Help You Manage Asthma:

• Vacuum and dust regularly
• Cover your bed with allergy proof casings
• Wash your bedding and towels in hot water to kill dust mites (and change these at least once a week)
• Choose unscented detergents and cleaning products
• Keep humidity low to reduce mold and mildew
• Keep your house clean to minimize the likelihood that cockroaches will take up residence there
• Use quality furnace filters to trap particles in the air that can trigger an asthma attack
• Avoid cigarette smoke, smog and other environmental pollutants as much as possible

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Wash Your Bedding And Towels In Hot Water
To Kill Dust Mites At Least Once A Week.

Conclusion

Asthma doesn't have to sideline you. As a bodybuilder you can stay on top of this disease and not let it get the best of you.

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About The Author:

Marie Spano is a leading authority on translating the latest nutrition and exercise science research into real life applications. Ms. Spano has also helped Olympic athletes, NFL-bound athletes and Fortune 500 executives enhance their health and performance through sound nutrition practices. She is a regular contributor to Bodybuilding.com. For more information see: www.mariespano.com.

References:

1. Asthma. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatIs.html

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