Exercise-Induced Asthma in Children

Abstract

One of the goals in treating asthmatic children is to give them the opportunity to have a normal lifestyle. Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) often prevents these children from participating in activities that are important for growth, physical fitness, and self-esteem. Although our treatment of EIA has improved grealy in the last 20 years, some questions concerning the pathogenesis of this disorder remain unanswered. Specific guidelines for exercise-challenge have improved our ability to diagnose this disorder, especially in those with no known history of asthma. Prevention remains the key to management of this condition and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods are useful in achieving this. Finally, special attention needs to be paid to the child's school environment. Controlling EIA gives children the opportunity to participate in the healthy activities that lead to proper growth and development, and thus improves their quality of life.