Should I be feeling breathless?
When exercising it is important to remember that it should be making you breathless, about a 4 or 5 on the breathlessness scale (BORG). If you are not getting breathless, you need to increase or change your activity. This also applies when doing the exercise session – for example if you are not getting breathless when doing the step-ups, try a higher step, or try and go quicker. However it is important that you do not exercise so much that you are too breathless and unable to speak.
Where to start with exercising
If you have not done a lot of exercise in the past, the thought of starting can be quite daunting. One of the easiest ways to start is by doing some walking. Try going for a short walk, even if just for a few minutes until you start to get breathless. Try and increase the amount of time you can walk for each time you go. You can even use a pedometer so you can see that you are doing more each time.
How much exercise?
Ideally about 30 minutes per day, but at least 10 minutes per day. However, this does not have to be all at once, you can split it up into smaller sessions.
Sex and breathlessness
- Use your Ventolin inhaler before and after
- If you have oxygen – use it during
For more information on this issue you can visit www.asthmaandlung.org.uk
Exercise tips
- Have your inhaler nearby when exercising
- Aim to reach moderate breathlessness
- Do no do strenuous exercise after a large meal or if you are unwell
- Gradually increase the amount of exercise at your own pace
- Ask a member of the team if you would like more information on exercise beyond the course, for example joining a local gym or class.