Formerly known as exercise-induced asthma, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a lung condition that causes airways to restrict during intense activity. While this can limit a person’s level of physical activity, which may contribute to other health issues, doctors can prescribe medications to improve lung function in those affected.
When a person partakes in physical activity, water and heat are depleted from the airways in the lungs. This depletion causes the airways to restrict, which makes breathing more challenging. Symptoms of EIB can include:
Symptoms of EIB usually occur within a few minutes of beginning an activity. Once the activity has concluded, symptoms can continue from ten minutes to an hour afterward.
With EIB, doctors can provide medications to control symptoms in the long-term and/or to improve symptoms while exercising:
Doctors can prescribe medications to manage symptoms over the long term, which is often the case when a person has asthma in addition to EIB. These treatments can include:
Long-term medications may also be beneficial when taken immediately prior to exercise sessions. Be sure to follow any instructions provided by your doctor.
Inhaled short-acting beta agonists can improve lung function when taken before starting a workout or exercise activity. There’s also a medication called ipratropium, which helps ease stiffness in the airways. These medications are often administered via inhaler, but they can also be used with a nebulizer. Some people require both short- and long-term treatments for EIB, depending on the severity of the condition.