How Exercise Helps Asthma Patients in Their Life

           Once you have asthma, you have it for life. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that could be triggered due to exposure by various irritants and substances like pollen, dust, harmful chemicals, smoke, or pets dander. Asthma is also a genetic disease, and you could inherit it from your parents. Most people are diagnosed with asthma in their childhood. Asthma patients should be careful about their health and medication. Proper treatment not only reduces the asthma attacks but stops it from getting worse. All you need to do is to stay active and smart.

How Exercise Helps in Controlling Asthma?

            Most often, people with asthma don’t work out as they are afraid of getting their condition worse. But that’s not how it works. Working out isn’t just the name of expanding your muscles or getting into shape. With the development of your muscles, it’s a workout of your complete body that makes you stronger and improves your stamina. Many patients overcome asthma by starting bodybuilding and doing exercises. Workouts strengthen your lungs and improve your breathing support, which will help you a lot in your life.

Famous Athletes with Asthma:

            You won’t believe me, but many athletes have asthma, and they still are the best. They didn’t let their disease to come in their way. They achieved their goals by working hard and continuously working out. Some of the inspiring athletes are:

• David Beckham
• Jackie Joyner-Kersee
• Greg Louganis
• Paula Radcliffe
• Jerome Bettis
• Peter Vanderkaay
• Amy Van Dyken.

Joyner-Kersee won six Olympics medals in Heptathlon, and she said:

“I was always told as a young girl that if you had asthma there was no way you could run, jump, or do the things I was doing athletically. So, I just knew it was impossible for me to have it. It took me a while to accept that I was asthmatic. It took me a while to even start taking my medication properly, to do the things that the doctor was asking me to do. I just didn’t want to believe that I was an asthmatic. But once I stopped living in denial, I got my asthma under control, and I realized that it is a disease that can be controlled. But there were things I had to do to get it under control.”

         So better, don’t underestimate yourself. If they could do it, then you could do it too. Just have some faith in yourself and start working hard.

Getting Started For Workouts:

              If you haven’t joined the gym any yet and neither do you exercise, then it would be probably best for you to start slow. Specify a time for gym and go regularly. Don’t be too hard on yourself; over exercising could be harmful to your health. Build up your stamina gradually, and as the time pass, you could increase your toughness level and test your limits.

Tips to follow Before Starting Exercising:

• Always Keep your inhaler with you.
• Warm up your body before working out
• In the cold season, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf. (Don’t Wrap the scarf too tightly)
• Stop exercising if you are not feeling so well.
• Try to inhale from your nose mostly.
• Keep yourself hydrated.
• Inform your physical trainer about your asthma.

When to Stop:

         As an asthma patient, you need to be more careful as compare to others. Always remember that your health comes first. Suddenly stops if you face any of the following symptoms and grab your inhaler if these symptoms continue, then it’s best to see a doctor.

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of Breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Anxiety because of catching a breath

Exercises For Asthma Patients:

           A healthy life is a happier life, and to keep yourself healthy, you need to start exercising. Use doesn’t affect your asthma at all, and many athletes have proven that. Exercise and proper medication is the only way to keep yourself healthy and prevent asthma attacks at most.

         Exercise strengthens your lungs, improves your heart rate, and lifts your mood by keeping you active. But which activities should asthma patients do? Most of the people who have asthma don’t know what sort of exercises would help them in improving their condition. To ease you from all the troubles we have taken out the best activities for asthma patients. For effective results, start them as soon as you could and do them regularly.

Swimming:

           Swimming is a lightweight exercise best for asthma patients, and even it’s healthier for children. During stamina, your body especially lungs, work hard in supplying your body oxygen, which strengthens your lungs, improves cardiovascular health, and boosts your strength. Swim for at least 30 minutes every time, swimming for three times per week would be enough for you. Chlorine in pools and coldness also trigger the asthma attack in some patients, so be careful.

Walking:

           Walking improves your stamina slowly and, you could start walking and if you think that you could handle more then start Running or Jogging. Always carry your inhaler with you and avoid walking or running in polluted areas. It’s best to go to the parks or bring an elliptical trainer and exercise freely at home. Try to breathe mostly from your nose and don’t get too overwhelmed during running as most of the asthma patients also have Exercised-induced asthma, and too much strenuous exercise could trigger an asthma attack.

Outdoor Games:

          Find your interest in sports and start playing outdoor games; they keep you active and healthier. Previously, we discussed the world's best athletes with asthma and how did they overcome asthma. You need to find willpower and confidence in yourself, and you could achieve more than ordinary people.

Weightlifting:

          If your asthma is well managed, then you could also go for weightlifting. Weight lifting will strengthen your body and helps you in developing muscles. You could lift dumbbells, barbells and if you think you are capable then weight plates. Just keep yourself hydrated and take a break after every 10 to 15 minutes.

Must Read: 5 “Everyday” Weightlifting Mistakes That Keep People Small, Weak, and Frustrated

Cardio Exercise:

         Cardio exercise not only improves your cardiovascular fitness, but it’s also great for boosting your stamina and weight loss. You could go for both elliptical and treadmill.

Must Read: The Do’s And Don’ts Of Low And High-Intensity Cardio

Yoga:

          For a warm-up, you could start with yoga and do some stretching. Yoga is a peaceful exercise that opens your mind and helps you to relax. Most of the people find yoga very satisfying for asthma treatment. Try the following yoga poses for best results.

• Savasana
• Sukasana
• Forward Bend
• Butterfly
• Bridge
• Pranayam

            In conclusion, I would like to say that just don’t up on yourself and don’t make asthma as an excuse for not working out. Exercises are necessary to keep you healthy and stronger. As an asthma patient, you need to be careful about your health and try to compete with asthma as much as you could. This exercise will help you out in the rest of your lives. With proper medication and activities, most of the asthma patients improved their lives a lot. So better start taking care of yourself before it’s too late.

Must Read Our Article: Best Cardio And Weight Exercises To Lose Weight