Exercise induced asthma (EIA), or exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), is an inflammation and subsequent narrowing of the airways that occurs when one is engaging in physical activity. When it strikes, it causes asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath and coughing. Exercise induced asthma occurs in 7% to 20% of the general population.
While you have probably heard of exercise induced asthma before, your asthma care provider will probably refer to it as EIB more often. Asthma doctors prefer the term EIB because exercise is not a risk factor for asthma but can be a trigger.
Sources:
O'Byrne, Paul. Patient Information. Accessed May 5, 2009. Exercise Induced Asthma
Storms WW. Accessed May 22, 2009. Asthma Associated With Exercise. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2005 Feb;25(1):31-43.
