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About Marc Rubin, RPh AE-C
Expertise
I have worked directly with patients as well as caregivers for over 30 years. Have made presentations throughout Illinois to public schools to educate teachers and coaches about asthma, and how they should respond to these students needs. Presented a public education program on asthma through the US Department of Public Health. Specialize in helping guide asthmatic patients to take control of their disease in order to live a near-normal, fully active life.

Experience
Practicing pharmacist for 34 years, specializing in asthma for past 7 years. Statewide education to teachers and athletic coaches regarding asthma. In addition, and closer to home. my wife and daughter both have asthma, and my son has exercise induced bronchospasm. I'm also on the advisory board of a medical education company, Emmi Solutions, and directly involved in the creation of public education programs for asthma, COPD and diabetes.

Organizations
Suburban Asthma Consortium (President & Education Chair), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), American Thoracic Society (ATS). Committee member of the Professional Education Task Force of the Chicago Asthma Consortium.

Education/Credentials
BScPharm, RPh, AE-C (NAECB Certified asthma educator), NIPCO Certified Respiratory Care Pharmacist

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Asthma > Asthma > Could breathing through mouth only during excersice cause astham symptoms

Asthma - Could breathing through mouth only during excersice cause astham symptoms

Expert: Marc Rubin, RPh AE-C - 11/4/2009

Question
Hi I am a 19 year old female, I have just started running trails near my house and I have noticed that I get a really swollen feeling in my throat (more my trachea area) and start coughing whenever I come back inside. Its more of a flemmy cough. I can remember when I played soccer last year I used to start coughing an hour or so once practice would end but I never took notice to it. I have a really hard time breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth when I excercise so I have always figured that the coughing was from breathing cold air straight into my lungs through my mouth. What I am wondering is if its something I should look into as being symptoms of asthma or if it happens often that the cold air being breathed in through the mouth could cause these symptoms.

Thanks for your help!
DJ

Answer
Hi DJ,

While I would not rule out asthma without further testing, cold, dry air can be causing your symptoms.

Here is what I'd suggest for you to start with:
1) Beginning 1 hour before running, begin fluid loading, and continue ingesting fluids during the run. If you don't presently have one, a runners belt which holds ~ 4 small fluid containers will help keep you hydrated. When the lungs get dry, as with mouth breathing, they get more "twitchy". Dick Pond Athletics is a good source for this, as well as other running gear:

http://www.dickpondathletics.com/istar.asp?a=3&dept=ZRA&class=FUEL&sortby=&numpe...

2) With the colder, dryer air, it will definitely be of benefit to wear a neck gator. If you are not familiar with this, it is a turtleneck sweater, but without the sweater. Generally made of micro-fleece, they cover your mouth and nose to maintain a warmer, moister environment:
a) http://www.ehow.com/how_2162469_wear-neck-gator.html
b) http://www.onlineearpops.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&pro...

(Note: a Google search for neck gators will provide you with a wide variety of prices)

3) Do about 10 minutes of warm-up exercise, like running in place, before venturing out. Also, do a 5 minutes cool-down upon return. It will aid in adapting your body to the transitions.

If you still find yourself having issues, have yourself checked out by an allergist or pulmonologist for complete evaluation.

4) And finally, until this issue is resolved, don't run alone, and carry a cell phone (you should do this regardless).

Happy trails! :)

Sincerely,

Marc

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