Coughing after running, rapid breathing - could it be asthma?

October 28, 2003

The definitive diagnosis of asthma is usually determined by a breathing test, sometimes referred to as spirometry or pulmonary function testing. Very young children are not usually old enough to cooperate with the test. But certainly a 20 year old can be diagnosed with asthma.

The symptoms you describe are consistent with exercise-induced asthma. If you have a family history of allergy, that increases the liklihood that you can be suffering from exercise-induced asthma. Most people with exercise-induced asthma can still participate in sports to a limited degree. A number of Olympic athletes have had a history of asthma.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) has produced an excellent online brochure on exercise-induced asthma, and I've listed that in the footnotes.

Anyone with asthma needs to be under a doctor's care. Only your physician can provide a definite diagnosis. If he determines you do have exercise-induced asthma, he can provide pre-treatment medications to use prior to exercise, or to treat symptoms that occur after exercise. He can make recommendations to help you continue enjoying athletic activities, and he can monitor your response to activity and meds to determine what is best for you.

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