Is this Exercise-Induced Asthma?

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I am wondering if I have Exercise-Induced Asthma or if I am just out of shape. I am 23 years old, have never smoked, and I have been anywhere from 20-40 pounds overweight for about 8 years. When I was a child, I was very athletic. I played lots of sports, especially soccer. However, even though I was always active and moving around, I would every once in a while have these spells where I all of a sudden could not breathe. Usually it would be on the soccer field after I did a lot of running. This would maybe happen only once or twice a season. But I would end up gasping for air for several minutes before feeling any sort of relief. My sister, who was also very athletic, had the same thing happen to her. Since these attacks happened infrequently, we never sought medical attention to determine if it was asthma or if it was just a random spell of over-exertion.

I am starting to work out again in an effort to get in better shape. I have already lost about 15 pounds in the past several months. I could probably walk for hours if I made myself. But when it comes to the more aerobic jogging, I cannot go more than 5 minutes or so without feeling like I can't breathe. After just a minute or so of jogging, I start to feel light-headed and dizzy, like the world is spinning. I take deep gasps for air and my chest feels tight. By the end of my mere half-mile jog, my face is bright red and I feel almost like I'm breathing through a straw. About five minutes after my jog, my breathing gets more normal. But then I start wheezing and coughing up mucus. Even several hours later, my lungs feel strained and beat-up. Almost like I had a cold and spent a half hour straight coughing.

Does this sound like exercise-induced asthma, or just like I am out of shape? It is only aerobic exercise that makes me feel this way. I don't know if I just have to push past it and gradually rebuild my lung capacity, or if I really have exercise-induced asthma (and even had it as a kid when I was very active and in shape, as with my sister?) and should seek some sort of medication to make it so I can actually do aerobic activity again.  

Thanks again,
Holly.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi Holly and welcome to our asthma community.  Experiencing the symptoms you describe I would definitely seek medical attention before continuing your exercise.  There are so many other cardiovascular reasons, and asthma too, which can cause the symptoms you describe -- it is worthwhile to go for a physical to be certain all is ok in all areas before working out in my opinion.  And, yes, it can be tightening from exercise induced asthma, but a good Dr. can help decipher and treat it accordingly.

Of course when we are a bit older, out of exercise, and having gained and lost some weight we wonder about the effects of exercise, but we should be able to do what you describe and be symtpom free is my opinion .. esp. having lost the 15lbs you describe.

Are you using our weight tracker?  It's awesome!!!!

C~

[Drew85]

I would second chitchatnine, This is something you should get checked out asap before you contunue your exercise program. It could be asthma but its worth getting it checked out propely as its could be a number of things that need treating.