Asthma affects How to Run Longer, according to the CDC; that’s around 25 million people in the United States alone. Living with asthma can put many people off the idea of taking up an activity like running, depending on the severity of their illness—but research has found that His other work has appeared in We Could Be Heroes.
In a recent YouTube video, Other Hearst Subscriptions James Dunne, who also has asthma, shares the tips he’s learned from personal experience that can be helpful for anyone with asthma who is thinking about taking up running.
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1. Consult your doctor
“Check with your doctor, and check your medication, because you need to have a plan for controlling your asthma,” says Dunne. “The one time I wouldn’t recommend getting into running is if your asthma is uncontrolled; if you don’t have a handle on your symptoms, then getting into something this stressful on your lungs and respiratory system isn’t going to be a good idea. But if you get your symptoms in check first, then you can start factoring in regular running to start benefiting your asthma.”
If you have only recently been prescribed medication for your asthma, Dunne advises taking some time to adjust to it and build that habit before starting a new form of exercise. He also strongly advises taking your emergency inhaler out on a run with you.
2. Know your triggers
It’s important to be aware of the things that can set off an asthma attack, and avoid them whenever possible. For example, if hay fever or allergies are a trigger, then scheduling runs at times when the pollen count is low will be a good idea. Dunne also recommends a long warmup to ease your body into a running session, and a long cooldown What Is Marathon Fatigue.
3. Walk if you’re struggling
“It’s okay to walk,” says Dunne. “Know what your initial warning signs are, when you feel like you’re losing control of your breathing, and just walk. Either walk and call it a day, or walk until you feel you have control, then get back into an easy paced run.”
Philip Ellis is Sex & Relationships Editor at Men's Health, How to Run Stronger in Your 40s at the end and Love & Other Scams. His other work has appeared in Teen Vogue, British GQ, and The Independent.
