Quick question re asthma and exercise?

[Twiglett]

I have just joined a gym .. I am also having my first asthma problems in almost a year because of a cold ... is it a good idea to go for a workout or a bad one? (ie will it make it better or worse?)

thanks wheezy ones

[otto]

I used to find excerise really difficult when I had asthma and always felt discouraged because I couldn't do it very well. Maybe set yourself very simple targets and don't push it too much. And make sure you have an inhaler on hand just in case it gets too much.

[Monstersmum]

My Dad used to give me a really hard time as a kid as I just didn't like running - always ended up wheezy. He reckoned I was just unfit!!!

Was diagnosed with asthma at 35!!!! But mie is just as a result of allergies.

I would say hold off a bit till your cold is better. Take it very easy. Walk on treadmill at an easy pace - if you start having probs stop till you recover and then maybe try again a bit slower.

[Twiglett]

I walked down the high street this morning with my children and felt uncomfortable .. its less than a mile .. I think I should wait till I'm feeling better

I am da queen of excuses not to exercise

[NotQuiteCockney]

Do you use a puffer? How much?

Exercise is meant to improve asthma, in the long term. I wouldn't know, I just have exercise-induced bronchospasm (i.e. asthma that only manifests when I run etc in cold air).

But in the short term, exercise will almost certainly give you an attack and leave you wheezy.

[GeorginaA]

Go anyway, but take your reliever inhaler 15 mins before hand and take it easy. Listen to your body and be prepared to leave early.

I always found that if I stopped going to the gym because of a cold, I found it really really hard to get started again. Do they have a swimming pool there? That might be a gentler alternative.

[Arabica]

Twiglett, if my symptoms are above my chesteg bit of a sore throat, sneezingI will exercise. If lower than that, eg wheezy, I won't.
But if your meds are sorted out so that you are blowing the right score on your pf meter, then exercise indoors is unlikely to make your asthma symptoms worseunless you have exercise induced asthma. Get yourself to the asthma clinic, arm yourself with information about your asthma so you know what triggers it, stay out of hospital! HTHeveryone's asthma is different.

[jabberwocky]

My asthma can definitely be worsened by certain types of exercise, such as running. Also, a really bad cold can set me back for months. I would really listen to my body if I were you. It probably wouldn't hurt to at least wait a week until your cold has gone away.