What’s wrong with the sudden cough that won’t stop? It’s pretty common, especially this time of year, says Roy Altal, a Los Angeles-based board-certified pulmonologist.
Earlier, Dr. Altaru explained, the phenomenon was called exercise-induced asthma. Today, it is more often described as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. “The constriction or constriction of the airways during exercise is basically airway hypersensitivity, where people may feel tightness in breathing and reduced lung capacity, often manifested by coughing. ” he says.
You might think cold air is the main culprit, but a study from the American Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that dry air was a much bigger factor than temperature. “air usually contains less water than warm air, and rapid inhalation of dry air dehydrates the bronchi, narrowing them and restricting airflow,” the study found.
This sensation is most common in dry climates, but can also be caused by pollutants in the air, strong perfumes in the indoor environment, or dry air in hot yoga studios like saunas. Many people typically only experience this when exercising outdoors in winter, such as running or strenuous hiking, says Dr. Altal. “Many people may have no symptoms when they’re running in the summer in Jackson, Mississippi, but they have symptoms in the winter in Jackson, Wyoming. The solution could be as simple as switching indoors.”
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For more persistent problems with post-workout coughing, there are medications and treatments available, says Dr. Altal. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction shouldn’t stop your ability to push yourself the way you want, he says. , you should do what you want with exercise and do the activities you want to do,” he says. doctor. “
But overall, there’s a bit of a cough here and nothing to be alarmed about, says Dr. Altal. And moving that exercise routine from the trail to the treadmill sounds like a seasonal buzzkill. Maybe, but Dr. Atal offers some helpful tips to keep mild symptoms at bay. He doesn’t jump into exercises or get chills,” he says. “Also, wearing a face covering like a balaclava helps combat dry air, which traps a bit of moisture in your breathing path.”
There is no reason to refrain from going out just because you have a cough.
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