What common trigger is associated with exercise-induced asthma?

What common trigger is associated with exercise-induced asthma?

• A. Hot, humid air
• B. Cold, dry air
• C. Air pollution
• D. High pollen counts

Answer: (B)

Exercise-induced asthma is commonly triggered by cold, dry air. When individuals with asthma engage in physical activity, especially in colder environments, the airways may react negatively to the chill and lack of moisture. This response can lead to bronchoconstriction, causing symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness during or after exercise. Cold air can cause the airway passages to become irritated and can lead to increased airway hyperreactivity. The dryness of the air further exacerbates this effect, as the airways typically prefer a humidified environment for optimal functioning. Therefore, when cold, dry air is inhaled during exercise, it can trigger an asthma response in susceptible individuals, making this a significant trigger for exercise-induced asthma. Other options like hot, humid air, while potentially uncomfortable, usually do not trigger asthma as directly as cold, dry air does. Air pollution and high pollen counts are also known triggers for asthma but are typically more related to environmental factors rather than specific to exercise-induced scenarios.

Exercise-induced asthma is commonly triggered by cold, dry air. When individuals with asthma engage in physical activity, especially in colder environments, the airways may react negatively to the chill and lack of moisture. This response can lead to bronchoconstriction, causing symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness during or after exercise.

Cold air can cause the airway passages to become irritated and can lead to increased airway hyperreactivity. The dryness of the air further exacerbates this effect, as the airways typically prefer a humidified environment for optimal functioning. Therefore, when cold, dry air is inhaled during exercise, it can trigger an asthma response in susceptible individuals, making this a significant trigger for exercise-induced asthma.

Other options like hot, humid air, while potentially uncomfortable, usually do not trigger asthma as directly as cold, dry air does. Air pollution and high pollen counts are also known triggers for asthma but are typically more related to environmental factors rather than specific to exercise-induced scenarios.