By  Tania Larson
 

Looking up the Central Texas hillside just a moment ago, it didn't look so steep. The beautiful spring afternoon seemed perfect for a day of adventure in the Great Outdoors. Mother Nature seemed to be smiling through crystal blue skies and the brightly colored faces of wildflowers. 

Now the flowers mock every struggled step and the whistling wind isn't the sound of a gentle breeze rustling through the trees, but the sound of tortured lungs trying to expel air through the swollen airways of an asthma attack.

For the millions of Americans with asthma the obstacles of outdoor sports can seem impossible as their bodies react adversely to the world around them. Central Texas is known for its allergy-inducing pollens and those pollens combined with the strain of exercise can cause an asthmatic's bronchioles to constrict preventing their muscles from getting the oxygen they need. Some attacks simply make the asthmatic feel mildly out of shape, while others can leave one unable to walk or even talk.

Fortunately, even severe asthma can be just another challenge to overcome. There are many things one can do to take control of asthma and take to the hills with confidence. 

The Basics of Asthma:
The first step to controlling asthma is of course diagnosing it. Symptoms may start at any time in your life, and if you are new to an area there may be allergens there you have never encountered before, exposing you for the first time to asthma symptoms.

Only a doctor can diagnose asthma, but here are signs that you may need to discuss the possibility of asthma with your doctor. Whether asthma is the cause or not, it is important that you find the reason behind any of these symptoms.

• Wheezing. If you ever hear whistling from your lungs, whether inhaling or exhaling there's a good chance you have asthma.
• Shortness of breath. Feeling short of breath (even if you simply feel slightly more out of shape than you should) can be a symptom of asthma. You should see a doctor as soon as possible if you have a hard time getting enough air.
• A feeling of tightness in your chest. If your chest feels tight it may be the constricting bronchial tubes of an asthma attack.
• A persistent cough. Asthma can cause inflamed and or blocked airways that lead to a persistent cough. 

Managing Asthma:
Because asthma is a chronic condition many asthmatics simply get used to the disease rather than control it. So, no matter how mild or severe your asthma seems to you it is important that you work with your doctor to make a plan for managing your asthma. Here are some things to consider:

• Rescue inhalers relax the muscles that tighten around the airways, and are used during an attack as well as for acute symptoms like coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing. For more severe episodes your doctor may prescribe a short course of oral steroids.
• Long-term medications like corticosteroids, cromolyn or nedocromil are prescribed to reduce the underlying problem of airway inflammation for those who need to use their rescue inhaler more than twice a week.

     Jeanne Aultfather, a licensed vocational nurse at the Allergy and Asthma Immunology Clinic of Georgetown, Texas says the one thing that asthmatics can do to dramatically improve their control over their asthma is to listen to the advice they're given and use their long-term medication as it is prescribed. She says many asthmatics "tend to use their medication only when they are in trouble. They should always be taking it as prescribed rather than just when they feel they need it." 
• Reducing exposure to triggers like allergens can help alleviate the long term symptoms of constantly irritated lungs.
• Peak flow meters can be used to chart your expulsion capacity and allow you to monitor the condition of your lungs so that you can adjust your medication as needed.
• An action plan for use during attacks should be developed with your doctor and altered through regular check-ups as you assess its success.

According to the guidelines your job is to:

• Take your medicines as your doctor suggests 
• Watch for signs that your asthma is getting worse and act quickly to stop the attack 
• Stay away from things that can bother your asthma 
• Ask your doctor about any concerns you have about your asthma and 
• See your doctor at least every 6 months. 

1. Allergy-induced asthma can be dealt with by taking antihistamines to help prevent allergens from provoking an attack. In some cases immunotherapy, a.k.a. allergy shots, can be used for building tolerance to certain triggers.
2. Exercise-induced asthma that can be triggered during the harder breathing of physical exertion. Aultfather recommends, "If you have problems and tend to get a little tight, use two puffs of your rescue inhaler (albuterol, ventolin, etc.) before exercise as a preventative." She also suggests avoiding cardiovascular activities, "Walking is better than running because there is not as much strain on the lungs."

• Take an antihistamine at least a half hour before so that it has time to set in. 
• Make sure to use any long-term medication regularly the days before you head out into the great outdoors in order to reduce inflammation and the chances of an attack.
• Take two preventative puffs of your rescue inhaler before you hit the trail to prevent constricted airways.
• Make sure you take your rescue inhaler with you for use along the way.
• Make note of the nearest medical facility, and take your doctor's number along just in case.

So get out there and hit the hillside for your choice of activity. Just take the necessary precautions first.