Sports Asthma and Track?
Its Track season and im going to join it. I'm rather nervous about it, but thats not the issue. I'm convinced i have sports asthma. My parents dont believe me, but today after only running half a mile, my lungs felt terrible, itchy, and out of breath. I'm in fine shape, but after running i start coughing and i have trouble breathing, and everyone asks me if i'm ok. Is there a way i can stop the attacks and get more oxygen in my lungs since my parents wont get me an inhaler or medication? Theyre completly convinced i dont even after they see my coughing on the ground, they just say im out of shape and need to run even more, and then i feel terrible. Any ideas? If i dont get help soon, this will become a burden in my dreams for Track which i want to do really badly. Please, tell me any possible way or remidie or just ANYTHING that might help my breathing. I take breaks inbetween runs, like after a lap on the track i stop, breath, then run more. Track is starting in two days, i need help
Answers:
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Stay relaxed and focus on keeping your breathing even. When you stop running try to remain calm,relaxed and continue walking while taking deep even breaths. It sounds like you could have some anxiety playing into your breathing problems as well as allergies. When I was a kid I had very bad asthma and allergies. My freshman year I went out for track and started distance running, I had the same symptoms you are having. I continued running and my lungs eventually strengthened to the point of not having any breathing problems. By the time I was a senior I was running a 4:25 mile and a 9:43 two mile. I would still try to see an allergist and have it looked into by a professional. Otherwise just continue to build your stamina and don't expect to become a track star overnight.Would you run in a clothing optional 5k ??
When it comes to asthma, it is always better to be cautious. Unfortunately, there is no way to be sure whether you have asthma unless a) you are tested for it or b) you have a severe asthma attack. If you are concerned that you have asthma, you should have the school nurse examine you and make some recommendations. Chances are, he/she will not be able to properly diagnose you, but at least you can get an impartial, professional opinion. If the school nurse recommends it, your parents should be convinced to find a physician that can properly examine you and be sure.In the meanwhile, I would recommend that you skip on track, at least until you are examined, if you have reason to believe that you may have a severe asthma attack. Skipping a few days of track or even an entire season is a small price compared to skipping an entire life..
Finally, if it turns out that you do not have asthma (since you asked), the breathing difficulties that you have will simply pass with time as your lungs get used to running. It burns all of us when we start running. Just start off slow and don't rush it. Give your lungs time to adjust to the new and harsh conditions of running. If it does turn out that you do have asthma, your dreams of track will not be cut short. Lots of people do track and other sports with asthma (including my personal hero, Jerome "The Bus" Bettis), and it does not stop them from doing well.
Good luck.
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