Treating Exercise Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)
If you have EIB, your treatment will depend on how serious your symptoms are and whether you have EIB with or without asthma. Your allergist may prescribe medicines that you take with an inhaler. There are two main types of these medicines:
Quick relief
Quick-relief inhalers are used to stop symptoms and should be carried at all times if you have asthma or EIB. To prevent EIB symptoms, you may take these medicines 15 minutes to 20 minutes before exercise to open the lungs' airways. Surveys show that many asthma patients do not use their quick-relief inhaler before exercise even though they have symptoms. Your allergist will talk to you about the importance of taking these medicines and choosing the right one for you. For example, some inhalers can be stored in any position, like on their side, while others cannot and you want to make sure you have an inhaler that works with your active lifestyle.
Long-term control
There are several medicines that people with asthma take regularly – sometimes twice a day – to help prevent symptoms and attacks. These work by treating the inflammation – reducing swelling – and build-up of mucus in the lungs.