What causes breathing problem during running in case of asthma?
Patient: I am a highschool distance runner and have allergy induced asthma. My symptoms have been almost entirely gone for three years, so about a year ago I went off my Flovent. Since then I have had no symptoms except for minor breathing issues during really humid hot races. In track I perform really well. 4:33 mile. But in cross country my times dont match up with my track times. I just ran a 5k and am in better shape than last track season but my time didnt match the expectations at all. I ran a 17:01 when I should have been well below 16:20. Is my asthma secretly still holding me back with every breath but I just dont notice it because the symptoms are miniscule? Doctor: Hello,Thank you for asking at HCM.I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows:1. Asthma is a dynamic disease, which tends to go under remission and may become symptomatic again in unpredictable way. The main cause of this unpredictability is because it is multifactorial, varies with environment, immunity, diet factors, stress levels, etc.2. If you think you are experiencing breathing problem while running, I would suggest you spirometry with post-exercise testing. This tests measures changes in lung capacity with exercise, especially running. If it is not available/possible, you can perform peak flowmetry before and after running, which will measure changes in peak flow rate after running.3. Also, known as exercise induced bronchospasm can be due to "mild" asthma, often unnoticed, so above spirometry will also help to identify the status of your asthma and your baseline lung capacity.4. If above testing does not suggest exercise induced bronchospasm, other possible causes of breathing problem during running can be anemia (low hemoglobin levels), other micronutrient deficiencies, nose obstruction, etc.5. In general, I would suggest you to maintain your hydration by adequate amounts of fluids.6. I would also suggest you to keep your inhaler handy while performing running/exercise, so you can take it for wheezing or shortness of breath due to asthma.Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM.Wish you the best of the health ahead.Thank you & Regards.