Up to 20% of people without asthma experience EIB symptoms.
01 | Introduction
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), previously known as exercise-induced asthma, occurs when the airways constrict and become inflamed during exercise, making it more difficult to breathe. People with this condition may experience asthma symptoms during or after physical activity. Symptoms can worsen when the air is cold and dry, or when pollen counts are high. However, most people with EIB can continue to remain active if they take steps to prevent symptoms.
02 | Causes
Cold air was once thought to be the cause of EIB, but recent studies have found that it is more likely caused by dry air. Quickly breathing in cold, dry air during exercise dehydrates the airways, causing them to constrict and reduce airflow. While intense aerobic activity is the primary trigger for EIB, some other triggers may include:
03 | Symptoms
Symptoms of EIB typically start within 10 to 15 minutes after high-intensity aerobic activity lasting 5 to 8 minutes and resolve within 30 minutes to 1.5 hours after stopping exercise. Common symptoms of EIB are:
Some people will experience a second wave of symptoms 4 to 12 hours after exercise. These “late-phase” symptoms are often less severe and can take up to 24 hours to go away.
04 | Treatment
Treatment for EIB focuses on preventing and relieving symptoms. In addition to preventative steps like warming up before physical activity, providers may prescribe medications that you breathe in using an inhaler or nebulizer to help open the airways during symptoms.
Learn More
For more information on EIB and supportive resources, please visit www.mayoclinic.org.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4174-exercise-induced-asthma
https://aafa.org/asthma/asthma-triggers-causes/exercise-induced-asthma/
https://acaai.org/asthma/types-of-asthma/exercise-induced-bronchoconstriction-eib/
