Greetings on this bright, sunny, and very windy day in the Winter season. It is amazing how the temperature fluctuates so much. With the increased wind blowing it is triggering people with allergies and asthma to have adverse reactions. So, what do you do if you are a person dealing with allergies and asthma? Well, first seek advice from your health care professional because he or she knows everything about your condition. According to the Mayo Clinic Staff, they found that allergies and asthma actually often occur together. An example that was pointed out, is the same substances that trigger your hay fever symptoms can cause asthma signs and symptoms such as chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath (Mayo Clinic Staff, Allergies and Asthma: They often occur together.) This is referred to as allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma and both have common triggers of pet dander, pollen, food allergies, and dust mites. Another common trigger is exercise which has been termed exercise-induced bronchospasm. It is also called exercise-induced asthma and the symptoms include airway tightness and extra mucus production.

An allergic response occurs when immune system proteins, which are called antibodies, mistakenly identify a harmless substance as a threat causing your body to release antibodies to bind to the allergen. This chemical release leads to allergy signs and symptoms such as itchy eyes and nasal congestion while in some people this same reaction affects the lungs and airways, leading to asthma symptoms (Mayo Clinic Staff, Allergies and Asthma: They often occur together.) Luekotriene modifer such as Montelukast (Singulair) is a medication that is taken daily in pill form and helps control immune system chemicals released during an allergic reaction. Anti-immunoglobin E Therapy works with IgE antibodies that cause your body to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream. Omalizumab (Xolair) interferes with IgE in the body and helps prevent the allergic reaction that triggers asthma symptoms. Allergy shots, which is immunotheraphy, can help treat asthma by gradually reducing your immune system response to certain allergy triggers because you get small injections of a tiny amount of the allergens that trigger your symptoms which lead your immune system to build up a tolerance to the allergens over time and your allergic reactions diminish.

When you have coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath during or after exercise, it may be more than physical exertion causing your symptoms. You may have exercise-induced asthma (Mayo Clinic Staff, Exercise-induced asthma.) Keep in mind that shortness of breath is part of participating in exercise depending on what you are doing. This can really effect your athletic performance and you should seek medical attention if your shortness of breath or wheezing is getting worse, and your rescue inhaler is not working. Some triggers include cold air, dry air, air pollution, high pollen, and respiratory infections (Mayo Clinic Staff, Exercise-induced asthma.)

When looking at the all the symptoms, triggers, and solutions make sure you are aware that you still have the ability to exercise, of course, if your health care professional agrees, and still reach your health and fitness goals. It is just a more difficult road for you because you may have a reaction that someone else may not have to endure. There are no particular exercises that you must avoid, just keep in mind that aerobic exercise such as running, soccer, and basketball are more likely to trigger symptoms than is weightlifting, walking, or bowling. This should not discourage you from participating in activity because with proper treatment you can still enjoy and dominate in your sports, health, and fitness goals.

We at Git Right Sports Performance and Fitness understand that allergies and asthma may cause your life to be a little more of a struggle but it should not stop you from achieving your sports related, health, and fitness goals. With our knowledge and experience, we have multiple designs that would accommodate you and still get you to your destination. We have the skills to custom design a routine that will push you to greater heights than you can imagine even with the allergies and asthma. Your goals can still be accomplished so call us now at 855.73.GITRT.

“Exercise to stimulate, not to annihilate. The world wasn’t formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them.” – quote: Lee Haney

“If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have the safest way to health.” – quote: Hippocrates

“You see people who have been very heavy in their life who have taken that body, trimmed it down, firmed it up through discipline, exercise and being able to say no. Eating properly, that all comes into it.” – quote: Mike Ditka