Expert: Gary - 3/31/2005

Question
My son has had a mild form of Asthma that comes & goes during the winter months only , since he was 5 yrs old.  The coughing (only) lasts months , sometimes weeks, so the Docs call it Asthma, one termed it "Winter Asthma" and said he may grow out of it. We tried the inhalers, they didnt seem to work all that well back then.  So over the years we have not used anything.  But now he is 14 and in Track, and he is doing alot of coughing after running.  It doesnt bother him AT ALL, He is obsessed with the fact these Inhalers have "Chemicals".   I am concerned as it seems he clearly has "Exercised INduced Asthma", he tells me even when I get his DOc to perscribe a medication, he will refuse to take it.  I have talked to him till I am blue in the face about Mild asthma --can still Kill.  Sent him links to stories, etc.  How can I convince this STUBBORN child these medications will NOT harm him.   Is their any over the counter medications for this--safe for teenagers?  I feel he needs something before Track is all, not necessarily every day. This usually goes away in Mid spring.  Thanks  

Answer
Hi Renee

Thanks for the question.

I can understand your son's concerns and it's important that your doctor and yourself approach it appropriately. There are good, reliable tests that can be done to determine if your son has exercise-induced astshma. They can test his breathing using a spirometer while he's exercising, they can get him to breathe in some histamine (or a similar agent called methacholine) and test his response to this to see if his airways constrict. Ask your doctor about these. There are also inhalers that can be used specifically for exercise-induced asthma. He can take the inhaler half an hour or so before he runs and that's it. If he only gets symptoms when running he may not need to use anything at other times. He might be interested to know, too, that most asthma inhalers are are permitted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as they recognise the need for asthma control during sports, and they acknowledge that many sportsmen and women have asthma and this shouldn't restrict thir ability to compete. They don't allow tablets or injections though, and a drug called Fenoterol is banned even if inhaled. Some of the "over-the-counter" products contain banned substances (such as nasal decongestants containing adrenaline or isoprenaline, and anything containing caffeine). As you cane see, many asthma "chemicals" are more acceptable than many over-the-counter drugs as far as sport is concerned. Also, none of the over-the-counter products have ever been proven to work. Thye are a waste of money.

Hope this helps

Regards

Gary