Nearly 5 million children in the United States have asthma. But if your child struggles with sports-induced asthma, you can still help them stay in the game — without the scary flare-ups.
See Srinagesh Paluvoi, MD, FAAP, FACAAI, and his team at Allergy & Asthma Affiliates, with offices in Lansdowne and Gainesville, Virginia, for sports-induced asthma evaluations and treatments, and read more below about how to manage this condition.
Here are a few symptoms that may indicate your child has exercise-induced asthma:
Up to 90% of people with asthma experience symptoms during or right after exercise. These symptoms often subside after resting for about 30 minutes.
Your child’s symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe.
The exact cause of sports-induced asthma isn’t entirely clear, but the risk factors for worsening symptoms may include:
Sports that may trigger asthma flares include basketball, football, hockey, track, soccer, skating, skiing, and snowboarding. Swimming in a chlorinated pool may also irritate your child’s lungs. Being prepared can prevent an asthma attack (severe symptoms).
Your child might not have any symptoms during milder, non-intense workouts.
Consider the following solutions to help your child breathe deeply during sports training:
If your child shows symptoms of sports-induced asthma, have them get tested at Allergy & Asthma Affiliates.
Dr. Paluvoi offers pulmonary function testing (breathing tests) to determine how well your child’s lungs are working. He completes an exercise challenge test by having them ride a bike or run on a treadmill to measure their before-and-after breathing ability and determine if they would benefit from using an inhaler during sports-related physical activity.
If Dr. Paluvoi prescribes an inhaler for your child, have them carry it throughout the day, especially when they exercise or participate in sports games and practices. The inhaler widens their airways, allowing them to breathe deeply and avoid anxiety-promoting asthma attacks. Follow Dr. Paluvoi’s instructions for when and how often to use the inhaler.
Dr. Paluvoi can test your child for allergies, which often worsen asthma symptoms when left untreated. He uses blood testing, skin prick tests, or patch testing to determine which allergens your child may be sensitive to.
Allergy treatment options may include oral medications, nasal sprays, allergy shots, and other forms of immunotherapy. Your child may need to avoid allergy-causing foods or medicines.
Having good indoor air quality is highly beneficial for children with allergies and asthma. Vacuum and clean your home regularly, change the air filters in your home often, and avoid harsh chemicals, air fresheners, lit candles, smoking, and other potential irritants to optimize lung health.
Encourage your child to warm up for at least 5-10 minutes to gradually ease into more intense physical activity, and then cool down afterward. Doing so reduces their risk of shortness of breath and asthma attacks. Have your child train properly for their specific sport to avoid overexertion and potentially scary breathlessness.
At Allergy & Asthma Affiliates, Dr. Paluvoi reviews your child’s symptoms and medical history, completes asthma and allergy testing, and creates a personalized treatment that allows them to breathe deeply and maximize athletic performance.
For a personalized sports-induced asthma treatment plan, contact us today at Allergy & Asthma Affiliates by calling our office or booking an appointment online.
