I have Asthma. Do you know any sports I can do that wouldnt KILL me???

Question

I am 13 and in 8th grade. My whol family had chronic asthma and I cant do Soccer my favorite sport cus it makes me sick.Any suggestions for a new sport???

I loved soccer but I cant play it anymore. Help me find a real sport... not like ping pong or oragomi.

Answer 1

You can play any sport, but first, you need to see a physician and find out what triggers your asthma attacks. If you are getting sick when you are playing soccer, the grass and dirt-filled air, could be triggering your asthma attacks. You have to build up your lung strength and learn the proper way to breath. I had asthma when I was younger. My stepfather was a chain-smoker. I had to keep my bedroom door closed, and my bedroom windows open. The rest of house was always full of smoke and my lungs never fully developed until I was about 16 years old… and his 3rd heart attack. He quit smoking and my lungs got stronger. I missed out on contact sports like football and basketball, because a hit to the chest was an instant asthma attack.

I was always a good swimmer and able to hold my breath and stay underwater for 1½ to 4 minutes (the times got longer as I got older). I became interested in martial arts when I was in the 8th grade and joined my high school’s track team when I was in the 10th grade. By the time I was in the 11th grade, I was state champion for all In-door and out-door hurdle events... and I medalled in the 400 Meter Dash, long jump, and triple jump. I was also a Junior Olympic Gold Medallist for the 400 Meter Hurdles.

I'm not telling you this to impress you. I'm just using my experience for examples of things you can do. Try swimming and martial arts, both sports teach breathing techniques that can be used to strengthen your lungs. I am an adult now; I hold black belts for various styles of martial art systems, and I still participate in Track & Field events. I use swimming as part of my training because I’m required to use all my muscles and proper breathing. Your lungs won’t get any stronger if you’re just sitting around doing nothing… even walking helps… and I do that too. With any sport or exercise activity, you have to know your limitations. Start off slow (something not so physical) and build your way up to soccer.

I forgot what it was like to be a kid. Your question made me remember how I felt when I was your age. I use to get sick from trying to keep up with the other kids too. My mom use to take me to the hospital and I always ended up staying over night for oxygen treatments. I was on all sorts of medication. Don’t worry. When your lungs get stronger… and they will… you’ll be just as athletic as the other kids who play soccer are, or even better than they are. While your lungs are getting stronger, you’ll still get sick, but not as often… and then over time you won’t get sick at all, or need any medication. It’s going to take a few years. Now… go outside, get some fresh air, and play!

Answer 2

Asthma is an allergy and is triggered by something. The best non medication treatment for asthma is learning your triggers and avoiding them. Common triggers are smoke, dust, mold, mildew, plants, dust mites, pets and grass/weeds.

If you can not figure our your triggers, you may need to see an allergist and have allergy screening done. This may point out your triggers.

The National Asthma Prevention Program and the Expert Panel of Diagnosis and Management of Asthma both agree if you have to use a prescription inhaler such as albuterol more then two time per week, your asthma is NOT in control and you will need a prescription controller medication.

Controller medications are steroids (Asthmacort Asthmanex, Flovent, Pulmocort), Leukotriene modifier (Singulair, Aculade, Zyflo) or mast cell stabilizers (Cromolyn sodium, Intal, Tilade).

You may want to talk to your doctor about several strong controller medications and maybe Xolair shots.

If you want a proven, all-natural way to cure your asthma, without having to pay for useless medications with harmful side-effects, then this is the most important page you'll ever read.

Answer 3

Try this trick
Take your body weight, let say you are a hundred pounds drink 1/2 your weight in ounces (50ounces) in water per day. First thing in the morning swallow 1/2 t untreated sea salt (non washed, non chemically treated) get it at the health food store. If you drink caffeine drinks or tea, does not matter if it is decaffeinated or not you will have to drink more water, that means you drink a twelve ounce coke or tea you will have to drink an additional 24 ounces of water. That means 74 ounces a day. Do this everyday for a week then try soccer again. The dehydration from exercise can bring on an asthma attack so you must go and stay hydrated during the game. The sea salt water combo has a positive effect on asthma sufferers.

Answer 4

Change your medication. If you are on an inhailer as I was, its the worst thing out there. Ventalin sucks. I've had asthma for 20 years and I know what your going through. Ask your doctor to change you to ADVAIR (100 for Mild, 250 for Moderate and 500 for severe) and SYMBICORT 100. I played soccer and had to hae the inhailer in my pocket. I couldn't play hockey. Now on that medication I don't own an inhailer. I play hockey, soccer, swim, run whatever I want and I've haven't had an attach in 3 years. All you take is the ADVAIR twice a day and the SYMBICORT 30mins before exercise and its like you never had asthma. You can play anything you want. My stamina has increased and its great. At the same time its not cheap, but if your health plan covers it, it will be the best thing you will ever do

Answer 5

As others have already stated it kind of depends on the seriousness of your asthma. I had asthma bad as a child and played soccer at the same time. The only times I had trouble was in the morning with the cold air or if I really ran hard. Eventually I grew out of my asthma and play at a very high level. If your asthma is that serious that you can't play a sport like soccer try golf it is another great game.

Answer 6

Swimming. I did this when I was younger and had really bad asthma. The humidity in the air of an indoor swimming pool makes it easier. I went all the way to junior olympics and I had asthma bad. Once you get stronger physically your asthma will get better and in my case, when your older in your 20s, it starts to get better. I'm 32 and use a resuce inhaler maybe 2-3 times a month when it used to be daily sometimes multiple times. Hang in there.

Answer 7

Speaking as somebody with chronic Asthma,you shouldn't let Asthma control what sports you play,the best thing you can do is to ask your doctor to be placed on Advair,cause before I was placed on Advair I used an inhaler a week,but now an inhaler last two months

Answer 8

I have 2 sons who are asthmatic and play sports. It also runs on their dad's side of the family. I have a 13 year old 8th grader and a 10 year old 5th grader. They both do baseball, football and track. Talk to you doctor. The doctor gave my sons advair and singular and that helped them ALOT!!! I'd hate to see a kid give up a sport but you need to take care of you. Talk to your doctor about your options and if he doesn't agree, then you can do what the people above me are saying, pool, ping pong, etc....

good luck!!

Answer 9

I had asthma as a kid and felt a lot like you do. I now am involved in Martial Arts. In my studio there is usually enough time to recover and catch your breath. My asthma has gotten SO much better since I started working out at this studio. I am due to get my black belt by next year. I have accomplished two things, Exercise and self defense.

Answer 10

There are a lot of sports that don't physically tax you to exhaustion and illness (because of chronic asthma).

Try Archery, Bowling (in a smoke-free alley), Fishing, Rowing, Rollerblading, Ice Skating, Darts, Pool, Skeet, Trapshooting, Horseshoes, etc...