Female: Today, Coach Kendra has some tips on how to remain active if you have asthma.
Coach Kendra: Asthma is a disease of the lungs, which impacts the ability to breathe. People who have asthma know that their condition can sometimes make it hard to exercise. The airways of people with asthma are extra sensitive to irritants and allergens, which cause the lining of the airways to swell. This can lead to severe clogging of the airway making breathing difficult. This is what is known as an “Asthma Attack”.
Regular physical activity is important for good health and just because you have asthma, it does not mean you have to give up exercise. In fact, famous athletes and Olympians like Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Isaiah Thomas, and Kristi Yamaguchi are all asthmatic. If asthma has been getting in the way of your workout, there are some breathing exercises, which can help dramatically. Breathing exercises can help you slow and deepen your breathing and continue to breathe through your nose even when you are exercising which can lessen your chances of an asthma attack.
I am going to show you some breathing exercises. To get you started, practice breathing through your nose counting the inhale and matching your exhale with the same breath. Breathing deeper before asthma attacks can help expand your airways, which may reduce the severity of your asthma attack. Once you get the hang of it, try breathing through your nose as often as possible during the day then extending nose breathing to your workouts.
Lying on your back, focus on making your exhales longer than your inhales. Try counting two to four seconds on your inhale and three to five seconds on your exhale. This exercise is extremely beneficial because practicing longer exhales allows your breath to deepen gradually.
These exercises help you to get control of your asthma by teaching you to breathe more fully and thoughtfully, improving a circulation of blood and oxygen throughout your body. Here are some other tips to follow when you have asthma and want to exercise.
Make sure that you warm up very slowly and that you take the time to cool down after your workout. Try to keep yourself away from asthma triggers like pollen grains and smoke while exercising. Always keep your inhaler near you.
If you have symptoms while exercising, stop the exercising immediately then take your medication and sit up straight for a few minutes. If the symptoms do not improve, call the doctor immediately for assistance. Please be sure to speak to your physician before making any changes in your asthma treatment regimen.
I have got one last tip to share with you today. One way to help warm the air your breath and prevent an exercise-induced asthma attack is to wear a thin warm scarf loosely around your face. That is an asthma fashion statement.
Female: You want to learn more? Check out other videos and sources on this site for more information.
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