Helping Your Child Manage Sports-Induced Asthma

According to experts, exercise is the second-most common trigger for asthma. It’s so common, you may not know your child has asthma until they start playing sports. 

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) doesn’t mean your child can’t play sports. In fact, keeping them active can improve their lung health. But you need to know how to manage your child’s asthma when playing sports to keep them safe.

At Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates in Tampa and Brandon, Florida, our team specializes in managing exercise-induced asthma, helping athletes and active individuals of all ages manage their asthma during physical activity.

Learn how you can help your child manage their sports-induced asthma so they can keep playing and you don’t have to worry quite so much.

About sports-induced asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and swelling in the airways, making it hard to breathe. It affects people of all ages and backgrounds, and symptoms and triggers vary from person to person. 

Sports-induced asthma is currently called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), and it’s one of many possible asthma triggers. Your child may breathe through their mouth instead of their nose when physically active, taking in short and shallow breaths that deliver colder and drier air to the lungs, triggering asthma symptoms.  

Breathing through the nose warms and moistens the air, reducing the airway irritation that causes the inflammation. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), about 90% of people with asthma have EIB, but not all athletes with EIB have asthma.

Asthma or something else

Feeling short of breath is a common side effect from exercise. So, how do you know if your child has sports-induced asthma or something else? 

Knowing the symptoms of EIB may help you recognize the difference. Symptoms of EIB include:

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Fatigue during exercise
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness or pain in the chest
• Feeling winded after a few minutes of activity

Symptoms begin within 5-10 minutes of starting physical activity and may last up to an hour after the activity stops. 

If you have concerns about your child’s breathing when they’re playing sports, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician for an evaluation. They may refer you to asthma specialists like us for an evaluation and lung function testing to confirm or rule out a diagnosis and management plan.

Playing sports with asthma

Treatment for children who have sports-induced asthma focuses on preventing symptoms during activity. They must take asthma medication before practice and games to prevent an asthma attack.

Medications for sports-induced asthma include bronchodilators to help the muscles that support the airway relax and anti-inflammatories to reduce inflammation. Your child should take their medications about 30 minutes before practice and games. 

Your child may only need to take asthma medications before playing their sport. But if they continue to have trouble breathing while playing, we may recommend asthma medication every day to manage symptoms. 

You may feel apprehensive about your child playing sports when it triggers asthma, but regular activity is good for their body and lungs. Heavy breathing during exercise strengthens the chest muscles, improving lung function and breathing. 

The best way to help your child manage sports-induced asthma is to have a treatment plan for symptoms and health experts you can turn to for support.

If your child has sports-induced asthma and you want help managing their symptoms so they can play, we can help. 

Call us today or use the online booking button to schedule a consultation at the location nearest you. We have two offices in Tampa — one in South Tampa and the other in Carrollwood — as well as an office in Brandon.