Asthma And Exercise – Can they co-exist?

Why Is My Asthma So Bad?

In 2020, I had a severe upper respiratory infection. At that time, we did not have a name for it. Now, we know it as Covid. Ever since then, I have had problems with my breathing. My workouts were suffering because I could not get enough air while I was exercising. I went to multiple doctors, but I could not get any relief.

I finally decided to go to an Asthma specialist. This was the breakthrough I needed. After trying many different medications from inhalers to nebulizers, we finally found the magic bullet… Tezspire!

Before I go further, let me give you some background on Asthma and Tezspire.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by inflammation of the airways, which causes them to narrow and make breathing difficult. While asthma can be managed with medication and other treatments, many people with the condition are concerned about engaging in physical activity, particularly weight training. However, with proper management and medication, it is possible for people with asthma to engage in weight training and other forms of exercise. One medication that has shown promise in helping people with asthma is Tezspire.

What is Tezspire?

Originally, Tezspire was developed to treat cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and other organs. Tezspire is a combination of two drugs, tezacaftor and ivacaftor, which work together to improve lung function. Tezacaftor helps to improve the function of a protein called CFTR, which is responsible for regulating the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. Ivacaftor helps to improve the function of CFTR channels that are already present on cell surfaces.

While Tezspire was initially approved for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, it has also shown promise in the treatment of other respiratory conditions, including asthma. In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that Tezspire improved lung function in people with cystic fibrosis and asthma. The study included 113 participants, 37 of whom had asthma. The participants who took Tezspire showed significant improvements in lung function compared to those who took a placebo.

How does Tezspire help people with asthma?

Tezspire works by improving the function of CFTR channels in the lungs. In people with asthma, inflammation of the airways can lead to a buildup of mucus, which can block the airways and make it difficult to breathe. By improving the function of CFTR channels, Tezspire can help to reduce mucus buildup and improve lung function, making it easier to breathe.

In addition to improving lung function, Tezspire can also help to reduce inflammation in the airways. Inflammation is a major component of asthma, and reducing inflammation can help to alleviate symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

While Tezspire is not a cure for asthma, it can be an important tool in the management of the condition. By improving lung function and reducing inflammation, Tezspire can help people with asthma to engage in physical activity, including weight training.

Now, back to my story.

As I said, I had Covid before it was known as covid. My health suffered. During that time, I thought I was having issues with my heart. I would wake up with a heavy feeling in my chest. I went to a cardiologist and even ended up in the Emergency Room. After a lot of tests, the doctors could not find anything really wrong with me.

I was referred to a pulmonologist. They ran blood tests and took my family history. I was prescribed a sleep study that could be done at home. They ruled out sleep apnea. With nothing conclusive except that I have asthma, the long string of different medication trials began.

I was prescribed albuterol for a quick rescue inhaler.

I was prescribed Advair. It worked for about a year, but then it stopped working.

I was also prescribed a nebulizer using ipratropium bromide.

For those of you who are not familiar with nebulizers, here is a little info on nebulizers.

A nebulizer is a medical device that converts liquid medication into a mist or aerosol that can be easily inhaled into the lungs. Here’s how it works:

1. The nebulizer consists of a small air compressor that pumps air through a tube into a cup containing the medication.
2. As the air flows through the tube, it creates a vacuum that draws the liquid medication from the cup into the tube.
3. The air and medication then pass through a small nozzle, which breaks up the liquid into tiny droplets.
4. These droplets are then inhaled through a mouthpiece or mask, allowing the medication to be delivered directly to the lungs.

Nebulizers are commonly used to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and COPD. They are often used for people who have difficulty using inhalers or need a more precise dose of medication.

The nebulizer helped, but I did not like the fact that I was having to use it every night. It interrupted my sleeping pattern and was inconvenient. I knew there had to be a better answer so I decided to do some research.

My research led me to my Asthma specialist. She actually took the time to listen to what was going on with me. My first appointment with her was about 2 hours long. I have not found a doctor that will take that much time with you in forever.

We discussed all of the things that I had tried, and after looking at other options, determined that Tezspire would be a good option for me. It is a once a month injection so it is very convenient.

However, because Tezspire is a biologic it is very difficult to get insurance companies to automatically approve the medication. It costs thousands of dollars so you can understand why they hesitate to approve it.

Tezspire also has a program that allows people who qualify to get their shots free of charge for up to one year. I qualified and was able to notice an almost immediate affect from the shot. But, I still needed approval from the insurance company.

My doctor decided it would help if I used a piece of equipment at home that would provide information to support the necessity of using Tezspire. The piece of equipment is called Aluna.

What is Aluna?

is a company that specializes in providing at-home spirometry solutions. Spirometry is a type of pulmonary function test that measures how well the lungs are working. Aluna’s at-home spirometry solution allows people to monitor their lung function from the comfort of their own homes, without the need for frequent visits to the doctor’s office.

At-home spirometry is particularly useful for people with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis. These conditions require regular monitoring of lung function to ensure that the treatment is working effectively. Aluna’s at-home spirometry solution allows people to track their lung function over time and make adjustments to their treatment plan as needed.

Aluna’s spirometer is a small, portable device that connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth. The app guides the user through the spirometry test, which involves taking a deep breath and blowing into the spirometer as hard as possible. The device measures the volume of air that is exhaled and how quickly it is exhaled, providing an accurate measurement of lung function.

The app also allows users to track their lung function over time, making it easy to identify changes in lung function and take action if necessary. The app also provides personalized feedback and coaching to help users improve their breathing technique and get the most accurate results.

In addition to providing at-home spirometry solutions, Aluna is also committed to raising awareness about respiratory health and the importance of lung function testing. They work with healthcare providers and patient advocacy groups to promote lung health and provide education about respiratory conditions and their management.

Overall, Aluna’s at-home spirometry solution is a valuable tool for people with respiratory conditions who want to monitor their lung function from the comfort of their own homes. By providing accurate measurements and personalized feedback, Aluna is helping people take control of their respiratory health and improve their quality of life.

With the information provided from my readings while using Teszpire and Aluna, but my insurance company finally decided to approve the prescription. This process has taken almost a year.

Here are some tips for weight training and doing cardio with asthma:

While Tezspire can be a helpful tool in managing asthma symptoms during weight training, there are other strategies that can also be helpful.

Here are some tips for weight training with asthma:

1. Warm up gradually: Starting with a gradual warm-up can help to prepare your body for exercise and reduce the risk of asthma symptoms. Begin with light cardio, such as walking or cycling, and gradually increase the intensity.
2. Use a bronchodilator inhaler: A bronchodilator inhaler can help to open up the airways and make it easier to breathe during exercise. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about using a bronchodilator inhaler before exercise.
3. Monitor your heart rate and oxygen saturation levels: Monitoring your heart rate and oxygen saturation levels during exercise can help to ensure that you are not overexerting yourself and can also alert you to any potential asthma symptoms.
4. Take breaks as needed: It is important to listen to your body and take breaks as needed during weight training. If you experience asthma symptoms, stop the exercise and use your rescue inhaler if necessary.
5. Avoid triggers : It is important to know what triggers an asthma attack … whether it is exercise induced or something that is in the air.

Conclusion

Weight training can be a challenging form of exercise for people with asthma, but with proper guidance and management, it can be done safely and effectively. It is important to warm up properly, choose the right exercises, and manage asthma symptoms during and after exercise. By following these guidelines, people with asthma can enjoy the benefits of weight training without triggering asthma symptoms or compromising their health.

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