Primary Care
Self-Care Tips | Asthma
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Exercise and asthma can go together if you keep your symptoms under control.
What you can do to cope with asthma
- Take asthma medicine prior to exercising.
- Warm up for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Slowly increase your intensity. You should be able to carry on a conversation while exercising.
- Modify your workout—try short bursts of activity followed by brief rest periods instead of one long period of exertion.
- Exercise in a warm, moist environment. The cold can trigger an asthma attack.
- Avoid environmental factors such as pollen, dust and air pollutants.
- When exercising in cold weather, wear a scarf or cold air mask.
- If you're having a flare-up stop immediately.
- Take 10 minutes to cool down after exercising.
- Don't exercise if symptoms are present before you start.
When to call your primary care provider
- Before you begin any type of exercise program
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