This seems to be a new issue, I didn't find anything like it under the search function. I swim at 5:30 am, and do 2000 meters, freestyle and kick sets. I just recently started taking more strokes between breaths, I was doing 2-4, now I'm doing 6-8. I do have asthma, but I've not had problems swimming before, and I don't have any issues while I'm exercising. The onset of symptoms is usually around 5-6 hours AFTER I finish my workout. Anybody out there ever have this happen?
Former Member
I'm not sure about actually developing asthma strictly because of chlorine (though I'm not discounting a doctor's words!), but I'm one of those people that has chlorine as a trigger for my EIB. Chlorine and cold air are the two big things that trigger my attacks..........and as far as developing asthma after years of swimming, I think some of it has to do with a predisposed sensitivity to chlorine, and the fact that you inhale it every time you're in the pool.
And as far as the inhaler before practice, breastroker, I also use Albuterol, and I'm trying to stretch it out and use it between 30 and 45 minutes before practice, and it seems to work for a longer period of time that way (wait'll I tell my RT!).
For the record, it's been said that 23% of winter athletes (including swimming - it's considered a year-round sport - now why do you think that is?) have some sort of exercise induced asthma, while up to 40% of swimmers by themselves have or had chronic asthma as a child - that figure includes Amy Van Dyken and Tom Malchow!
Also, a cute little paragraph (and a whole article, for anybody interested) about certain injuries and conditions prevalent to competive swimming -
Asthma. Asthma is more common among swimmers than among other athletes because many youngsters were encouraged to begin swimming as exercise treatment for their breathing troubles (19). Other athletes with asthma gravitate to swimming after they notice that the warm, humid environment makes breathing easier than the cold, dry environments often found in other sports. However, the enclosed environment may exacerbate asthma, especially at poorly ventilated pools where heavy chlorine odors may build.
And the link to said article - www.physsportsmed.com/.../kammer.htm
Dima, I'm not sure that everyone can develop asthma, but I think that others may be more succeptible (sp.) to getting it after prolonged exposure (like me I guess).
I also cannot see myself without swimming, so despite what the final results are I will continue to plug through the breathing problems. After all, if swimming gives your life better quality what would happen if you stopped???? I don't think that I will find out!!!
I do notice that the recent cold snap has made things a bit worse. I wasn't working out as hard last year-too overweight. 16 pounds less and I can do more challenging workouts!! The rescue inhaler is helping-thanks for the suggestion.
I may not have worded what I was trying to say correctly. I don't think the doctor meant that only exposure to chlorine can cause asthma. I think that he was saying that chlorine just magnifies an already present breathing problem.
