Question

John is a 12-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. He has been prescribed cromolyn sodium. You are the nurse working in the clinic and are charged with teaching John and his mother about the diagnosis and his medications. John has the following questions: 1. How can I prevent an asthma attack? 2. Will I still be able to participate in sports with this medication?

Answer 1

Exercise indiced asthma is the appearance of symptoms like coughing, chest tightening, wheezing, and shortness of breath with in 5 to 20 minutes after staring a physical activity. This is due to the inflammation and irritation of airways during exercise. The main reason for the airway irritation are drying or overcoolingof airway, alveolar hypercapnia and increased mechanical friction.

1. Preventive measures of asthma attacks during exercise

• Use cromolyn sodium 15 to 20 minutes before starting exercise to prevent symptoms before it develop.
• Use of bronchodilators , inhaled cortico steroids, 10 minutes prior to the exercise can prevent the asthma attacks or reduce the symptoms.
• Avoid allergens by using mask. It also help to warm the inhaled air.
• Start with warm up session prior to intense physical activity and take periodic resting time.
• Avoid asthma triggering weather and choose exercise accordingly.

2) Cromolyn sodium helps to prevent the symptoms of astma attacks by decreasing the mast cell activity ( cells respond to allergens). Compared to other group of medication, this drug has no side effects. Thus it is safe to use. However, the drug can not stop the symptoms which is already appeared and a rapid acting bronchodilator should be started in case of development of symptoms during exercise.