Exercise Facts 

·      Exercise makes your heart and lungs stronger. 

· Exercise increases muscle strength. 

· Exercise improves posture and makes you more flexible. 

· Exercise improves self-esteem, confidence and gives you energy. 

· Feeling short of breath may be normal when you exercise.  But when you stop exercising, the shortness of breath should go away.                    

Asthma Facts 

· Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways in the lungs. 

·   Children with asthma can lead healthy active lives.

·   Asthma can be diferent for each person. 

· Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. 

Asthma and Exercise 

·   Regular exercise is important for everyone, especially if you have asthma.          

· People with asthma should be able to do any exercise or play any sport. 

· More than 1 in 10 Olympic athletes have asthma.

· Exercise may trigger asthma symptoms during or 5-10 minutes after you start exercising. 

· Well controlled asthma should not limit exercise. 

· If asthma stops you from being active, your asthma is out of control.  See your doctor.

· The only excercise people with asthma should not do is scuba dive.

Asthma Symptoms During Exercise 

· Don’t start exercising if you are having asthma symptoms. 

· Asthma symptoms may include cough, wheeze, shortness of breath or a tight feeling in the chest. 

· You may have other symptoms such as tiring easily or not being able to keep up with your friends. 

· Prolonged exercise (e.g. running, soccer, hockey) is more likely to cause symptoms than short bursts of exercise such as volleyball or tennis. 

· Exercising in a warm, humid setting (eg.swimming) may be less likely to cause symptoms. 

· If you have asthma, exercise can cause symptoms, but exercise does not cause asthma.   

Prevent Symptoms By:

· Keeping your asthma under control. 

· Starting to exercising slowly. Work up to a more demanding exercise. 

· Always warm up before exercising and cooling down after. 

· Using your reliever medicine 10 to 15 minutes before exercise. 

· Breathing through your nose, if possible, instead of your mouth when you exercise. 

· Avoid exercising outside when air pollution is bad or pollen counts are high.  Exercise indoors instead. 

· Covering your mouth and nose with a scarf or neck warmer when exercising outside in cold air.

 Asthma Allie Says:  "Keep Active!"