Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult. During an attack, the linings of the bronchial tubes become inflamed and irritated causing mucus production and the constriction of surrounding muscles. These three factors cause a narrowing of the tubes blocking the amount of air into and out of the lungs. This disease cannot be cured but control and treatment will lessen the severity and frequency of attacks.

The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but has been found to run in families. Persons with asthma may be supersensitive to many substances and environmental conditions that are normally harmless. Common triggers are allergens (pollen, molds, animal dander, dust, and dust mites), as well as irritants (smoke, fumes, and strong odors), exercise, stress, and changes in weather and temperature. Also a cold or flu, certain drugs, and food additives can be triggers.

There are five classifications of asthma based on severity, 5. Severe persistent, which

Diagnosing EIA can be simple. If a person is known to have asthma and experiences symptoms after exercise there is no need for further diagnostic procedures. In those without a history of asthma or non specific respiratory symptoms, diagnostic tests may be necessary.

Brown, Ronald.(1998) Exercise-Inducead asthma. Allergy and Asthma Magazine

The last and least severe is exercise-induced asthma (EIA), which means that the symptoms are generally limited to periods of sustained physical activity. When exercising vigorously for a few minutes or longer chest tightness, coughing and wheezing will occur. The symptoms can be relieved by a period of rest, but can persist for a few minutes or a few hours after the activity has stopped. When not active, breathing is normal. EIA is optimally treated by the use of a short acting inhaled bronchiodilator 15 to 30 minutes before the start of the exercise. If the exercise is longer or pre- activity medications were forgotten, additional use of the inhaler may be needed.

At least 80% of people with asthma have symptoms triggered by vigorous exercise. The symptoms will typically arise 5 to 10 minutes into the exercise. Sustained aerobic exercises like running, bicycling, soccer, and handball are a few of many sports which can trigger an attack. However, because bronchial passageways naturally relax and open during exercise, symptoms may not be noticed until a few minutes after the exercise has stopped.

There are two very important factors in producing the symptoms, the amount of ventilation and the temperature of the inspired air. The greater the ventilation, and the colder the air, the higher the severity of the attack. The use of warm, humidified air lessens the degree of constriction, and lowering the intensity of the exercise will

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