How Asthma Affects Fitness?

People with asthma normally have difficulty in breathing. During an asthma attack, the person breaths heavily giving out some wheeze sounds. There is also a combination of coughing and tightness in the chest. This condition prevents asthmatic persons to engage in strenuous activities like sports and health activities like exercise.

Asthma may be triggered by allergens, food, air pollution, weather and other irritants. Those with asthma tend to gain weight due to lack of enough exercise. However, medical studies show that asthma can also be triggered due to lack of physical activity. They just need the right kind of exercise that would be good for them. Their physical activity or exercise does not need to be as strenuous as the regular exercise that a fit person does. This would be good to expand their lungs more and make their body fit as well.

The person with asthma must do his exercise in an environment that won’t trigger the asthma. The cold weather is not conducive to his health. An asthmatic person may do some light jogging and running in a clean environment. Neither should it be too hot nor too cold, just a good cool environment that he can easily breath through while doing the exercises.

Diet is an important factor for a person with asthma. Spicy foods such as chili, garlic, onions and hot mustard are foods that affect the nerves and release some kind of watery fluids in the lungs, mouth and throat. This may help asthmatic people breathe freely. But as always, moderation is the key so these kinds of food must be taken with some good caution.

Cod liver oil and foods like fish are rich in omega 3 fatty acids help relieve asthma symptoms. Other important vitamins such as vitamins E, C, and B12 are also good. Sources of these vitamins are green leafy vegetables. There are nutrients such as zinc, selenium, magnesium

and beta-carotene should be included in the diet. Sources of these foods are sunflower seeds, dried figs and broccoli.

As part of their fitness program, persons with asthma must stay away from smoke. That is why most of them don’t smoke because this can trigger a bad asthma attack. Dust mites must be avoided as well because they can become part of the air that this person can inhale and trigger his asthma. Pets can trigger asthma especially when the hair or fur, feces, urine and pet saliva are inhaled by the person. Cockroach droppings around the house can also trigger asthma. Pollens from plants are allergens in the air which can also trigger asthma. It would be advisable to wear protection around the nose and mouth areas like masks or a wide handkerchief to avoid inhaling these allergens.

There is no clear cure for asthma. This condition can be controlled; monitored and temporary relief methods are applied. It is important for the person with asthma to have a good amount of exercise regulated by a health practitioner or doctor to help his body become fit and to manage his asthma attacks well. A clean environment and a well balanced diet are also important to help this person live a healthy normal life.

Source: Health Guidance