Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm

Ben6899

Anyone here being diagnosed with EIB?

I went to see my Doc this morning because the last couple of times I've been out on the bike (pushing hard, naturally) I've experienced odd bouts of chest tightness and shallow breathing. Being as fit - generally - as we are on these forums, it rang alarm bells!

Anyway, he listened to my chest/heart and took my blood pressure and all were fine. Apparently, the bronchiols (sp?) are irritated by certain triggers during exercise and then narrow as a reaction. In my case it looks like that trigger might be cold and dry air.

http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics ... ospasm.cfm
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art ... lekey=6532

He wants to me to try an inhaler to test for relief of symptoms (bronchdilater), but being a preferrer of more natrual methods, I thought I might start wearing my buff a bit earlier to keep the air I breathe warm and moist.

It's a common occurence in athletes and elite sports people - I know most of us on here are one tier below that category, but there's a good chance others "suffer" from this too. Just thought I'd put it out there.

col.sarah

Hi Ben,

I would recommend using your bronchodilator prior to exercise and during a ride if you need it.

It will do you no harm and will definitely improve how you feel and perform on a ride. It will also serve to identify if that is indeed the problem. If it is you will feel much better relatively quickly. If it does nothing at all then your doctor may need to think of other causes.

Cold dry air and exercise does indeed promote bronchospasm. I get it myself.

Bronchodilators have very few side effects and none of them lasting.

You may of course need to consult a specialist if you are competing !

Good luck

Colin

Ben6899

Thanks for your input/advice, Colin.

Burkafett

Um, as a kid I always could taste blood after a heavy workout. I have only just gotten back into cycling and am building it back up slowly so no blood taste just yet. Any idea what causes it as I always thought it was just normal? Cheers.

Ben6899

They're not like my symptoms at all... you can taste blood when you exercise!? No idea, but I'd see a Dr.

shockedsoshocked

Burkafett wrote:

Um, as a kid I always could taste blood after a heavy workout. I have only just gotten back into cycling and am building it back up slowly so no blood taste just yet. Any idea what causes it as I always thought it was just normal? Cheers.

Sometimes can happen if you've not had a hard (aerobic) work out, breathing very deeply. The alveoli in the lungs (little sacks essentially) can stick together, and are forced open when inhaling really deep (imagine the first race of the season). Nothing to worry about unless you're actually coughing up blood.

Burkafett

Actually it used to happen all the time when I was at school. We used to go on long cross country runs twice a week and it always had the same effect. I don't think I really had too many problems with cycling, which I did a lot. Maybe when I really pushed hard and this fits I suppose. No blood coughed up no. Thank god! Cheers.

Reckon I'll mention it when I next see a Doctor. Ta.

I would second the advice above that the OP ought to try the inhaler for a bit. Perhaps just research the active ingredients first. They might not be so unnatural afterall. Good luck with it.