Asthma is an extremely common condition these days – over 20 million people in the United States alone have diagnoses asthma. And it's likely that quite a few more have asthma that hasn't yet been diagnosed.
Because asthma is so common and even family doctors and pediatricians are used to treating large numbers of patients with asthma, it's easy to forget that expert consultation might make a huge difference in the degree of asthma control you achieve, not to mention the quality of your life, or that of your child.
I think all people with asthma would benefit from seeing an asthma specialist at some point. There can be different medical specialties that are considered experts in treating asthma, including allergists, immunologists and pulmonologists. Asthma specialists can help you pinpoint more exactly what is triggering your asthma symptoms through allergy testing. They will also be most knowledgeable about which treatment approach will work best.
When you work with doctors, remember that you have both a right AND a responsibility to be a completely equal partner in your care. You know your body best and you should be involved in all decision-making, rather than being a passive participant in your treatment plan. Make sure you read and learn about your disease so that you can make informed decisions, with your doctor's help.
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If you have asthma or exercise-induced asthma, there is no reason you cannot be active and pursue healthy fitness activities, provided your
asthma treatment keeps your asthma symptoms under control. And there are many benefits from physical activity and fitness that go beyond asthma, including weight control, better sleep, less stress, stronger heart, etc.
This time of year, many people like to get "out in nature" to do their exercise, from running to cycling or even walking. If you live in the city, though, that can mean exposing yourself to dangerous levels of air pollution and motorized vehicle exhaust. And that's definitely NOT a good thing for anyone, but especially for people with asthma.
Air pollution and car exhaust are considered asthma irritants. Irritants can't set off an immune response as allergens like pollen can. But, they do irritate already inflamed airways, and asthma symptoms can worsen as a result. So, although exercising is good for you, exercising outside in an urban environment if you have asthma is NOT.
The only solution is either to find a non-urban location or one where traffic is not heavy for your outdoor exercise, such as a park, or to exercise indoors. If you must exercise outdoors in the city, then try to do it in the early morning or evening, when the sun is not at its peak and ozone levels are lower. Ozone is a main ingredient in smog and results from an interaction between sunlight and car exhaust. Using these strategies will also help you avoid seasonal airborne asthma triggers, such as pollens and mold.
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