Anyone who has experienced an asthma attack knows how frightening the wheezing, chest pressure and trouble breathing can be. Asthma is a chronic, lifelong condition that requires forming a collaborative relationship with a health professional to manage symptoms and minimize its impact on your quality of life.
Having asthma doesn’t have to mean abandoning an active lifestyle or missing out on your favorite physical activities. Through his practice in Cypress, Texas, board-certified physician Ranjit Grewal, MD, provides the highest level of care for patients with asthma.
After careful evaluation, Dr. Grewal helps you to create a plan to remain active while keeping your asthma symptoms under control and appropriately managed.
Breathing carries air to and from your lungs. An asthma attack occurs when the lining of your airway becomes irritated and inflamed. This can cause the airway to narrow, restricting airflow and making it more difficult to breathe.
Individuals with asthma experience shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. Identifying triggers is one of the goals of an effective asthma management program.
Common asthma triggers include:
While exercise is one of the most common causes of asthma attacks, individuals with asthma can still engage in physical activity without putting their health at risk.
Physical activity offers a host of benefits and is a part of a healthy lifestyle. By taking the right precautions and following your care plan, which typically includes inhaled medication, you can remain active. Exercise is a key part of maintaining your health, and it can have many benefits.
In fact, exercise has physical, mental, and social benefits, including:
Before you begin exercising, it's important to identify and discuss your asthma triggers and medications with your doctor. Dr. Grewal develops individualized treatment plans that meet your unique needs and work for you.
If you have severe asthma, focus on short-burst exertion, which includes certain sports and activities. These activities give the lungs time to recover, reducing the chances of triggering an attack or aggravating your asthma. Short-burst activities include:
Avoid engaging in physical activity in extreme temperatures. Weather that is too cold or too hot and humid can trigger your asthma symptoms. Aim to do most activity in moderate weather.
If you participate in a sport such as skiing or snowboarding, it’s possible to develop treatment plans that enable you to participate while reducing your risk of an attack. It's often a matter of balancing your medication and listening to your body.
Regardless of how you decide to exercise, always take the appropriate precautions, and bring your rescue inhaler along for the trip.
If you’d like to learn how to be more active even with your asthma, call our office in Cypress, Texas, at 281-477-0525 or use our online booking tool to set up your appointment today. You can also send a message to Dr. Grewal and the team here on our website.
