Exercise-induced asthma

The most common symptoms of exercise-induced asthma are:

• wheezing (a whistling sound that occurs when breathing)
• breathlessness
• a tight feeling in the chest
• coughing

Symptoms are more commonly experienced after exercising. They may be intense at first, but gradually improve. Some people may already have an asthma diagnosis when they experience symptoms of exercise-induced asthma, whereas others only get asthma symptoms during exercise. Sometimes the symptoms can get considerably worse. This is called an asthma attack. It can be a medical emergency if your asthma medication does not alleviate the symptoms after up to 10 puffs of your inhaler.

If you have any of the symptoms above, you should see your GP or consultant. They will ask you about your symptoms and medical history.

Tests your GP or consultant may recommend include:

• FeNO test, which involves breathing into a machine to measure the level of nitric oxide in your breath, a sign of lung inflammation.
• Spirometry, which involves blowing into a machine that measures the speed you can breathe out and the amount of air your lungs can hold.
• Peak flow test, which involves blowing into a handheld device to measure the speed you can breathe out. This may be repeated over a few weeks to monitor changes.

There is no cure for exercise-induced asthma currently, but there are treatment options available to help manage your symptoms. These may include:

• Inhalers. Devices that help to relieve your symptoms by breathing in medication. They can also help to reduce the sensitivity and inflammation in your lungs.
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) and steroid tablets. These help control your symptoms.
• Injections. Given every few weeks to manage your symptoms.
• Surgery (bronchial thermoplasty). A thin tube is passed down your throat into the lungs. Heat is then applied to stop airways narrowing and causing symptoms of asthma.