If you have asthma, you shouldn’t exercise
While the idea of having an excuse not to exercise may be appealing, most people with asthma simply won’t run into trouble if they work out or participate in sports. In fact, several famous athletes, including football player Jerome Bettis and soccer legend David Beckham, have performed at their peak while keeping their asthma under control.
In fact, exercise is good for you if you have asthma because it strengthens your lungs and heart while improving your immune system – not to mention all the other great effects it has on everyone’s health and its potential to reduce your risk of many diseases.
Most activities won’t be off limits for asthma sufferers, but some of the best choices are biking, walking and swimming. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you move your body regularly, so find something you love and stick with it!
Asthma can be outgrown
A lot of people believe that asthma can be outgrown, especially if they have it as a child. Unfortunately, asthma isn’t something that can go away – although it may well feel that way if you are able to identify your triggers and avoid them to keep your asthma under control.
For example, if you’re allergic to dust mites, your bedding and clothes could be triggering your asthma. Laundering everything at a high temperature and keeping your home free of dust can make a huge difference in how you feel from day to day and even reduce your reliance on medications.
The steroids given to people with asthma will make you bulk up
Although they come from the same family of drugs, the inhaled steroids that you might be given if you have asthma are not actually the same as the anabolic steroids some athletes use to get bigger muscles. In fact, asthma steroids aren’t hormones at all – they’re anti-inflammatory drugs.
Natural ways to control asthma
Nevertheless, you may not need these steroids at all if you find natural ways to keep your asthma under control. For example, staying hydrated can go a surprisingly long way for many asthma sufferers. When you’re dehydrated, the lining of your sinuses and airways can get dry, bringing about asthma and other symptoms.
It’s especially important to stay hydrated when exercising as you tend to breathe using your mouth, which causes dry air that may contain triggers like pollution or pollen to enter your lungs. Moreover, studies show that histamine is produced at a higher rate when you’re dehydrated, triggering allergies and aggravating asthma.
Another lifestyle change that can alleviate asthma is improving your diet. A recent study from Denmark found that asthma patients who followed a low glycemic index diet rich in fruit, vegetables and protein and exercised three times per week noted a 50 percent decrease in their asthma symptoms. Patients who only changed either their diet or exercise levels but not both still enjoyed a 30 percent decrease in asthma symptoms, while a control group who did not improve their diet or start exercising did not note any improvements in their markers of the disease.
If you suffer from asthma, it’s important to educate yourself so you don’t buy into unhelpful myths. Like many conditions, it may be possible to keep your asthma under control naturally.
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