Up to 90 percent of asthma sufferers have had attacks brought on by exercise.
Indeed, some people only experience asthma while exercising. Physical exertion in extreme temperatures -- either cold and dry air or hot and humid weather -- also exacerbates the problem.
Exercise-induced asthma can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or congestion, coughing, exercise fatigue and inconsistent performance. However, with the right preparation asthmatics can still work out. In fact, research indicates that being physically fit reduces the number of asthma attacks and lessens the need for medication.
A feature from New Jersey's Bergen Record offers tips to head off exercise-induced asthma attacks. For example, warm up in intervals and avoid exercising in areas with high levels of asthma "triggers," like pollen or auto exhaust fumes. The article also advises what to do when asthma occurs during exercise.
A feature from the Detroit News tells asthmatics how to prepare to exercise when the weather gets hot and muggy.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides an online pamphlet that describes the medications used to treat asthma and ways to identify asthma "triggers."
