Question:

I am a runner with asthma.  The trick is to keep a safe distance from failure/exhaustion.  Of course, you have to get a little bit more tired in order to get stronger, but exercise-induced asthma will come on, for most of us, only at a certain level of exertion.  Therefore, I suggest you slow down your pace a little, or even a lot, and see how much farther you can go. I don’t know what your level or frequency of medication is, but I rarely (once or twice a year) need my inhaler when not running; I use it before my runs when I know I’m going to do a really taxing workout. -S- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have included running in my cardio workouts and I have improved from 1 block to 1 mile. Now, mind you, I would like to go further with a better time; however, my asthma impedes my progress.    Yes, I am on medications but there is a plateu I hit with my breathing. After 15 minutes, I start to wheeze.   I know sprinters can cope with asthma but how ’bout someone running long distance? I haven’t heard any asthamatics who runs long distance.   My questions are: 1.) Will my time and distance improve since I’ve been running for only a month and a half? 2.) For any asthmatics here, any tips to share or new medications I should try? Thanks

– Steve Freides

Response:

i have exercise-induced asthma, and i am on prescriptions of servent and flowvent inhalers.  it’s made a huge difference to me–before it was very difficult to adhere to a consistent exercise regimen. talk to your doctor. -rei – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have included running in my cardio workouts and I have improved from 1 block to 1 mile. Now, mind you, I would like to go further with a better time; however, my asthma impedes my progress.   Yes, I am on medications but there is a plateu I hit with my breathing. After 15 minutes, I start to wheeze.  I know sprinters can cope with asthma but how ’bout someone running long distance? I haven’t heard any asthamatics who runs long distance.  My questions are: 1.) Will my time and distance improve since I’ve been running for only a month and a half? 2.) For any asthmatics here, any tips to share or new medications I should try? Thanks

Response:

Do you have exercise induced asthma (EIB),  or chronic asthma? Depending on which, the answer will be different. If it is EIB, then the major issue is premedication with drugs such as Albuterol and/or Intal. The way to go longer, is in fact to go longer. You may want to intersperse periods of running (at a rate you can sustain, without inducing an attack) and walking.You will also, when fitter, throw in some faster running. You gotta do both. As you get fitter, you will walk less and run more. This has got to be combined with a sensible diet and some form of weight training. Over time, you should see steady improvement. If you have chronic asthma, the issue is more complex, because your respiratory system has been compromised by airway remodelling. Consequently, the maximal amount of air you can move while running is going to be limited. Regardless of how hard you train, your speed is going to be not as fast as you would otherwise be able to run. This being said, with proper medication, including some form of inhaled steroid, you should be able to do some nice distance work—–over time. You will have to compensate for a compromised respiratory system with excellent muscular efficiency and oxygen transport to the muscles. Part of the compensation mechanism is low body weight and increased heart stroke volumn (which will occur over time and alot of training). Running in itself does not alter the course of asthma, as a disease; you cannot undo prior damage to the respiratory system, but you can get awful fit and greatly increase the quality of your life. Proper medication is required if you want to limit further remodelling. I know this because I have had chronic asthma since age 4, or so, with an FEV1 30-50% of expected. By dint of pure effort – perhaps a massive case of overcompensation – in my late 20s, I ran marathons (can’t do it anymore), but can still run alot.  Any decent speed or distance is a thing of the past. So be it. The point is, even though you have asthma you can get extremely fit and run decently, if you want to take the time and effort. There is no magic, just patience and doing what can be done to help yourself. Good luck.

Response:

Do you have exercise induced asthma (EIB),  or chronic asthma? Depending on which, the answer will be different. If it is EIB, then the major issue is premedication with drugs such as Albuterol and/or Intal. The way to go longer, is in fact to go longer. You may want to intersperse periods of running (at a rate you can sustain, without inducing an attack) and walking.You will also, when fitter, throw in some faster running. You gotta do both. As you get fitter, you will walk less and run more. This has got to be combined with a sensible diet and some form of weight training. Over time, you should see steady improvement.

Generally, good advice, but I’d back off the "got to be" on the weight training.  It’s not necessary for anyone just trying to get a cardio/aerobic workout.  Nice if you have the time and discipline, but to all those thinking of running, just try it (with the usual check up with your Dr., etc.).  Weight training, while a good idea, is not a necessity.

Response:

Related Posts

• Breathing Exercises (was All this Buteyko)
• Does anyone have high levels of PROLACTIN ?????
• Peg about reconnection surgery
• Semi-OT - foods and allergic reactions
• Serevent; WOW
• chronic oxygen deprivation - effects?
• Need HELP with a bad habit!!
• Is There Life After Latex Allergy?
• St. Gertrude and asthma
• Klonopin with a coffee chaser