What Is Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm? Exercise-induced
bronchospasm (EIB) used to be called exercise-induced asthma.
The term bronchospasm means tightening and narrowing of the
tubes that bring air in and out of your lungs. Up to 90 percent
of people with asthma have EIB. But EIB also affects some people
who don’t have asthma and some who have allergies rather than
asthma. If you have coughing, wheezing, or tightness in your
chest that begins after you start exercising, you could have
EIB. This type of narrowing happens during vigorous exercise
because you tend to breathe more through your mouth instead of
through your nose. This allows cooler and drier air into your
lungs, which can trigger the bronchospasm. Symptoms of EIB
Symptoms of EIB are most likely to occur if you are exercising
outdoors in cold, dry weather. This cold, dry air is usually
warmed and moisturized by your nose when you breathe normally.
Symptoms of EIB usually begin anywhere from five to 15 or 20
minutes after exercise starts. These sym