Athletes and Asthma

A surprising revelation about pro-athletes in the UK recently revealed that asthma sufferers should never feel helpless to pursue their dreams due to their condition.

It’s a fact of life for millions of asthma sufferers: Exercise often makes things worse. However, a recent study of pro athletes in the UK showed us that our own personal experiences may be guiding us in the wrong direction.

Many people with asthma avoid exercise at all costs, due to its ability to induce an asthma attack. But doctors say that these sufferers are taking the wrong approach to prevent their symptoms. This is because exercise provides many positive effects on the body, which in turn positively impact the way the bodies handle asthma.

Many overweight sufferers have reported that their asthma condition improved significantly as a result of losing weight through diet and exercise.

Because overexertion can lead to an asthma attack, doctors recommend that asthma suffers listen to their body.  Push it when possible and back off when necessary.  Pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion is not recommended and keeping an inhaler around is always a safe idea.

The Pro’s Overcome, So Can You

Several high profile athletes such as cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins, soccer star David Beckham and marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe suffer from asthma.  And when looking at a list of Pro-Athletes, as many as 25% report suffering from asthma compared to around 10% of people within the normal population. While it is surprising to see such a high rate of pro athletes with this condition, it should be very encouraging to asthma sufferers.

This proves that asthma sufferers can find a way to physically push themselves to the limits and keep their asthma in check. Using tips from experts like two time Olympian, Nick Catlin, you can even design your own workout routines.

Treating Asthma at Home

We recommend talking to your doctor and determining how to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine. When it comes to asthma, keeping an inhaler around at all times could be lifesaving advice.  If you are looking for a non-invasive treatment to help reduce the frequency of your asthma concerns, a great complementary treatment is an air purifier.

A good air purifier for treating asthma is going to have high airflow, ideal for covering a bedroom without much noise, as well as a high efficiency filter to remove airborne particles which can trigger asthma attacks.  In addition, better asthma units will also address chemicals, odors, and microbes as well.