Posted on July 24, 2014 by Jenny Cromack

There are 5.4 million people suffering with asthma in the UK, that’s 1 in 5 households. Asthma is not just an excuse to skip PE! For a quarter of a million people with severe asthma, even climbing the stairs can feel like a marathon, never mind going outside their home. As an asthma sufferer I have written this blog to help show you that exercising with asthma is possible depending on your symptoms.

Astonishingly, three people die every single day because of asthma. But most of these deaths could have been avoided.

I have suffered with asthma since I was 4 however the severity of my symptoms and how it has affected my day to day routine has altered dramatically. I could go months without being effected but equally I could go through periods of frequent asthma attacks.

Exercising With Asthma

Many people with asthma are worried that exercising will trigger an attack there is always a risk but in fact frequent exercise can be extremely beneficial as maintaining a good level of fitness can reduce attacks. It is important to always have your inhaler close to hand and let people you are exercising with know that you are asthmatic. If you are asthmatic and are training at one of our personal training or class studios please do not leave your inhaler in your locker….it’s no good in there if you do have an attack!

Healthy Eating and Asthma

Healthy eating and controlled asthma work hand in hand. Eating fresh, low sugar and fatty foods helps prevent asthma episodes. When I was younger having a can of pop at a party or eating high sugar sweet would make me wheezy (and hyper too!)

Handling the Heat and Asthma

Look after your inhaler
Inhalers work best below 25 degrees, so look after them in the hot weather – some are OK up 30 degrees, but to be safe keep them below 25 degrees. Avoid keeping your inhaler on the windowsill or leaving it out under the sun when you sunbathe – instead, stick it in your pocket or put it in the shade.

Watch the pesky pollen
Remember pollen sticks and is still there at night. If pollen makes your asthma worse, think about not drying your clothes in the garden on days where the pollen count is high, as it may be sticking to them. Also in the heat many of us sleep with the windows open but pollen will still be coming in so it might be better to close the windows and put a fan on instead.

Dust mites in the humidity
The high humidity is just what dust mites need to breed, so there are more of them to watch out for than usual.

Routine
No matter the time of year, keeping up your normal medicine routine is so important. So even if you’re rushing off to the beach, take your preventer inhaler as normal.

Pollution
Especially in cities, there is a lot of pollution in the air during the summer.

 

Asthma shouldn’t control you life and what exercise you can complete. Throughout my whole life I have played numerous sports showing that exercising with asthma is possible. The key to being able to maintain an active lifestyle is ensuring you are sensible and keep on top of your medication. The times my asthma caught me out was when I thought I felt absolutely fine so skipped me tablets or forgot to take my inhaler.

If you have asthma yourself or your child suffers from it there is numerous options to ensure you can live a normal lifestyle without sheltering away from exercise and sport.  If you speak to your GP they will put you in touch with some asthma advice websites, web chats or meetings which are great for getting some top tips. Lucy