Children, Asthma and Sports

For children with asthma, everyday activities like playing sports become potentially dangerous. Rebecca Brown may look like your average active 12 year old, but as a child with asthma, she knows how difficult the condition is to live with. “You get shortness of breath, making it very tiring just to walk,” says Rebecca.

According to a recent study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, more than three-fourths of children with asthma were unprepared for an exercise-induced asthma attack. Since exercise can be a trigger for asthma attacks and inhalers are the best treatment, the researchers stressed that it’s critical that inhalers be available when children with asthma are engaged physical activity.

Just a few months ago, during one of her favorite activities, dance class, Rebecca found herself without her inhaler. "I didn’t take it when we rushed out of the house. Then when we got to dance and had a break, I ran outside and realized that I couldn’t breathe", recalls Rebecca. Asthma expert, Dr. Clifford Bassett is with Long Island College Hospital. "Always take the inhaler prescribed by the specialist 15-20 minutes before exercise and have the inhaler on hand for any asthma attacks that can occur during or after exercise", says Dr. Bassett.

Asthmatics have extra sensitive airways. As a result, the airways react by narrowing or obstructing when they become irritated, making it difficult for air to pass in and out. Cold or dry air may act as physical triggers, causing the air pipes in the lungs to narrow. "Most children with asthma cough or develop a tight chest after certain kinds of exercise. The drug of choice for exercise induced asthma is an inhaler. It contains a bronchiodilator to open up and expand the lungs so the child will not have the tightness in the chest, cough or any other asthma symptoms", says Dr. Bassett.

Dr. Bassett recommends that children with asthma drink 8 ounces of water before and 8 ounces of water for every ½ hour of exercise to help prevent asthma symptoms. It’s important to do a warm up of 6-12 minutes and a cool down at the end of the exercise. As for Rebecca, she’s learned her lesson. Take your inhaler!” exclaims Rebecca. According to medical experts, in New York and other cities, swimming in particular is excellent for children with asthma. The air is warm and moist which helps the airways. But before starting any exercise regimen, always consult with your physician.