Expert: Marc Rubin, RPh Asthma Educator - 1/15/2011

Question
hi. I am 15 and have always been active. Though I have always been active I have always had problems breathing when running or do any type of conditioning. Lately it has been really bad. I will run for like 2-3 minutes tops before I start having to slow down because I start feeling shortness of breathe and chest pains. In the cold I can not run at all and when I do run in cold weather I have extreme difficulty taking deep breathes and chest pains that last for up to an hour.  I dont tell my parents because I dont want to worry them if it is nothing. Please let me know if i need to go see a physician. BTW no history of asthma in the family and I got pneuminua last year and I get strep throat a lot and I was born unable to breathe.

Answer
HI Stacey,

It does sound as if you have exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB). To be certain, you should be evaluated by an allergist, especially since most general practitioners do not have the piece of equipment necessary to make the diagnosis (spirometry).

Do communicate this issue with your parents. It is important for them to be aware, and if the diagnosis is made, I can guide you and your parents towards educational material on how to adjust to it. Just so you are aware, 15% of Olympic athletes have asthma, but they have acquired the knowledge and skills to adapt to it.

In the meantime, it is important that you do follow certain procedures before exercise:
1)beginning an hour before exercise, start to fluid load. When your lungs get dried out, they become more reactive. It is important to continue drinking as needed during the exercise or event.
2)warm-ups, beginning 10 minutes before activity, and cool-downs for about 5 minutes (running in place is fine) after you finish.
3)inhale through your nose: it warms the air. Cold air can trigger the lung spasms. I also strongly suggest covering your nose and mouth with a "neck gator" when you go outside in the cold. It is a fleece item that is the equivalent of a turtleneck sweater without the sweater. Here is a link to a selection of sites that sell them:

http://www.google.com/search?q=neck+gators&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozill...

Also, stores like SportMart, or area ski shops generally carry them this time of year. Only run ~ $10-15.

Don't over-extend yourself. If diagnosed, I'd advise getting an inexpensive device called a "peak flow meter", that will aid you in evaluating how your lungs are doing, and if in distress, when you can continue the activity.

Finally, if you do have EIB, there are medications you can take pre-activity, as well as during an attack, to reverse the immediate problem.

Let me know what results.

Sincerely,

Marc