Saturday, February 7, 2009

Running Induced Asthma?

I have this happen to me frequently this time of year. I start feeling a shortness of breath even when my heart and the rest of my body aren't being taxed that much.

It doesn't take very long into my run to start feeling it either. Maybe 5 minutes or so. It makes me have to stop and walk and it's really annoying, because it throws off any pace that I had.

I can't tell if it has something to do with temperatures or allergens.

I know I have problems with Oak in late spring and early summer, but that usually makes my nose run and my eyes itchy. It doesn't affect my breathing.

If that was the case, I could take a pill a couple hours before running and just make sure that I drink more water. I can deal with that.

The symptoms seem to go away by the time my blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are back to normal, which usually takes about 15-20 minutes after my runs.

Also, when it's real cold out (anything under 40 degrees), I may not get this feeling until after I am done running and I go indoors where heat is being used.

Does anyone up north or someone in Florida during this time of year experience a mild case of asthma during their runs? If so, is there anything I can do to prevent it or is there a quicker way to recover?

Thanks.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I am a respiratoy therapist and I happen to live in Fl. I am not a doctor but I can tell you that cold is an irritant and it can bring on an asthma attack. If this is your problem talk to your doctor he will probably be able to help you prevent and attack.

Also a scarf can help. Wrap it around your mouth and nose so you are not inhaling the cold air and causing the shortness of breathe.