Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm – Quick Facts & Management

When dealing with exercise-induced bronchospasm, the temporary narrowing of airways that occurs during or after physical activity. Also known as EIB, it often shows up in people with asthma, a chronic inflammatory lung condition, and can be managed with bronchodilators, medicines that relax airway muscles. While inhaled corticosteroids, anti‑inflammatory inhalers help prevent episodes, exercise challenge testing, a controlled way to confirm the diagnosis can pinpoint the problem.

Why does this happen? During vigorous activity, the airways dry out and the cold air you breathe can irritate the lining, leading to muscle tightening. That tightening is what we call a bronchospasm. In simple terms, exercise-induced bronchospasm is a type of asthma that only shows up when you push your body. People who already have asthma are more likely to experience it, but even otherwise healthy athletes can develop symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or a sudden drop in performance.

How to Spot and Confirm the Condition

First clue is usually a pattern: you feel fine at rest, then after a run or a sport, you start wheezing. Keeping a symptom diary helps you see the link between specific workouts and flare‑ups. For a solid diagnosis, doctors often use exercise challenge testing or a eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea test. These tests reproduce the airway stress in a safe environment, allowing the clinician to measure the drop in lung function. The result confirms that the bronchospasm is triggered by exercise rather than other factors.

Once confirmed, treatment follows a clear three‑step approach. Step one is prevention: warm up slowly, wear a scarf or mask in cold weather, and use a short‑acting bronchodilator (like albuterol) 10‑15 minutes before activity. Step two adds daily control with inhaled corticosteroids if symptoms are frequent. Step three involves adjusting the training plan—mixing high‑intensity intervals with lower‑intensity recovery periods can reduce airway stress. Many athletes also benefit from leukotriene modifiers, which target another inflammatory pathway.

Monitoring is key to staying on top of EIB. A portable peak flow meter lets you check airway function before and after workouts. If you notice a consistent drop of more than 10% after exercise, it’s a sign you need to tweak your medication or warm‑up routine. By understanding the triggers, using the right meds, and tracking your response, you can keep moving without the fear of a sudden breath‑stop. Below you’ll find articles that dive deeper into each of these topics, from medication comparisons to practical tips for athletes.