One Thing That Can Really Take Your Breath Away

Shape magazine

December 2006 issue

If you've been stumbling In from your outdoor runs gasping for air, don't simply assume you're out of shape. You may suffer from exercise-induced asthma (EIA), a narrowing of the bronchial tubes. You're more likely to experience it in the winter because cold, dry air dehydrates the lungs, which can cause constriction. EIA is common, yet it's often misdiagnosed. "Symptoms like coughing and wheezing can be the same as that of other major health problems," says Jonathan Parsons, M.D., of Ohio State University's Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute.  If you frequently have to stop your workout because you're short of breath, see a specialist.

This story resulted from a news release distributed by OSUMC media relations, available on the web at:

http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/mediaroom/press/article.cfm?ID=2716&i=7