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Many people think that a diagnosis of asthma or allergic rhinitis would preclude participation in sports. On the contrary, patients with allergic disease can excel at sports. For example, Jerome Bettis (Pittsburgh Steelers running back) and Florence Joyner (Olympic track star) both had asthma yet competed successfully at the highest level in their respective sports. What were the keys to their - and potentially your child's - success? The first would be the recognition of symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis. The two diseases are commonly inked such that approximately eighty percent of the patients with asthma also suffer from allergic rhinitis. Common asthma symptoms include not only wheezing and shortness of breath but also cough, chest tightness and chest discomfort. These symptoms are typically worsened by exercise but are also exacerbated by cold weather, infection, exposure to allergens (pollen, animals, dust mites, etc.) and overnight. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by clear runny nose, sneezing episodes, watery eyes, itchy eyes and nose, post nasal drainage and nasal congestion. Experiencing either of these groups of symptoms should prompt a visit to an allergist/immunologist certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
Diagnosis by the allergist/immunologist is accomplished by listening to a history of the patient's symptoms, performing a physical examination and undertaking appropriate diagnostic studies. The diagnostic studies employed most commonly are spirometry for asthma and percutaneous skin testing for allergic rhinitis. Occasionally, further modalities are necessary.
The final and ultimate key to athletic success is patients with allergies and asthma is proper treatment. For allergic rhinitis and asthma avoidance of symptom triggers is important, but this mechanism obviously fails with exercise in the athlete. Adherence to a treatment regimen is therefore crucial. Allergic rhinitis is commonly treated with nasal sprays, antihistamines and on some occasion's immunotherapy also know as allergy injections. Asthma treatment focuses on two major concepts: controller medications and rescue medications. Controller medications are anti inflammatory oral medications or inhalers taken on a regular basis to control underlying inflammation of the disease of asthma. Rescue inhalers, as the name implies, are used to treat acute symptoms as they arise. Rescue inhalers are also used commonly 15 to 30 minutes prior to initiating aerobic exercise.
Pitfalls to proper management of asthma and allergies and subsequent athletic success abound. Examples include denial of the disease state, delay in diagnosis, improper diagnosis, inadequate treatment and lack of adherence to a proper treatment plan. Fortunately, though, most patients are highly motivated to breathe well and succeed in their athletic endeavors.
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