Have trouble breathing when you work out? Maybe you have this!

If you’re out of shape, exercising is going to take your breath away–literally–but for some people, the ability to control breathing during exertion is more difficult than it should be. While any lingering shortness of breath during fitness should be examined by a doctor, it’s possible this condition may be the result of exercise-induced asthma.

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Though approximately 80-90 percent of people with asthma will have exercise-induced asthma (EIA), also known as exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB), people who do not have a regular asthma diagnosis can still suffer from this condition. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), EIA will only occur during strenuous physical activity, unlike regular asthma which can have multiple triggers and occur unexpectedly.

Exercise-induced asthma generally appears within 5-20 minutes of physical exertion, or when a change in air temperature/ breathing pattern occurs. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, a feeling of chest constriction, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Why does exercise-induced asthma happen?

What makes one person susceptible to EIA over another–aside from a pre-existing asthma condition–is unknown. There are many different factors that can trigger EIA, including a person’s physical fitness, air temperature and breathing pattern.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) states: “People with EIB are very sensitive to both low temperatures and dry air. Air is usually warmed and humidified by the nose, but during demanding activity people breathe more through their mouths. This allows cold, dry air to reach your lower airways and your lungs without passing through your nose, triggering asthma symptoms. Air pollutants, high pollen levels and viral respiratory infections may also be triggers. Other causes of symptoms with exercise may be that you are out of shape, have poorly controlled nasal allergies or vocal chord issues.”

Pollution levels and irritants like cigarette smoke can also cause EIA to trigger or make symptoms worse.

Managing exercise-induced asthma

For people who want to be physically active, EIA can put a damper on many activities, but experts indicate the condition can be managed. People who have other asthma conditions will generally respond well to traditional asthma medications, but a change in activity routine may be the only hope for people without additional breathing conditions.

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Both the AAFA and the AAAAI recommend a proper warm-up and cool-down exercise process to allow the lungs to adjust to air temperature and a sudden increase in breathing. Some sports are also considered better than others when it comes to exercise-induced asthma. Swimming, for example, is an ideal way for people with this condition to stay in shape; the moist air of an indoor pool environment is not likely to trigger asthma symptoms.

With the proper conditioning and warm-up routine, many people with EIA find they have no need for medical intervention.

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