I have had asthma since birth and despite being told that I should probably avoid becoming an athlete, here I am - an ultra-endurance athlete with asthma. Needless to say, I’ve spent years learning to manage my asthma while still pushing myself to new levels each and every year as an athlete. Please note, I am not a medical professional, nor an expert in asthma management. I am an athlete with asthma that has learned through experience strategies that have worked very well for me to stay strong, keep my lungs healthy, and avoid becoming overly reliant on my inhaler.

Understanding Asthma and the Role of Inhalers

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that inhalers aren’t meant to cure asthma. Their purpose is to treat the symptoms, not eliminate the condition altogether. For years as a child, I relied heavily on my inhaler, especially before workouts or soccer practice. I was directed to take it preemptively, believing that it would help me perform better and prevent any asthma symptoms from creeping up. And it did, at least for a while.

I felt incredible after taking my inhaler—almost superhuman. My breathing would clear up, and I’d be able to push myself harder during practice. But over time, I realized that the more I used my inhaler as a preventative measure, the more I started depending on it. My reliance on the inhaler grew to the point where I felt I couldn’t perform without it.

And that is the problem. While your inhaler is extremely important and may even save your life - so please make sure you always have it with you and listen to what your doctor has perscribed you to be safe, if you don't let your lungs have the chance to strengthen, they are unlikely to.

Shifting from Prevention to Reaction

At some point, I started to question this dependency. Could I manage my asthma differently? I spoke with several specialists who suggested that I try using my inhaler less frequently, particularly as a preventative tool. The idea was to allow my lungs to work harder and build strength on their own rather than relying on the inhaler to do the heavy lifting.

It wasn’t easy at first. I remember going to soccer practice without taking my inhaler beforehand (I still had it with me though - this is very important because you never know when you are going to need it). The first few minutes were tough—I was wheezing and struggling to catch my breath. But I decided to push through, taking the inhaler only when my symptoms became too intense. Gradually, I found that I could go longer without needing it. My lungs were getting stronger, and I wasn’t as dependent on the inhaler to get through a workout.

Today, at age 33, I only need my inhaler when I am sick. In the mean time, I am running up 14,000 foot mountains, running 50+ mile ultra marathons, and participating in yoga and high intensity interval training in my daily life.

How is Having Asthma and a Knee Injury Similar?

This process reminded me of dealing with a knee injury in high school. After tearing my patellar tendon, I was advised to wear a knee brace during my recovery. The brace was necessary at first, but as I progressed through physical therapy, I realized that continuing to rely on it would prevent my knee from fully healing. I needed to strengthen the muscles around my knee, which meant gradually reducing my dependency on the brace.

The same principle applied to my asthma. The inhaler was crucial, especially during severe asthma attacks, just as the knee brace was during the early stages of recovery. But to regain full strength and independence, I had to wean myself off it—using it less and less as my lungs grew stronger.

My Five-Step Approach to Managing Asthma

So here is what I have done to reduce my dependence on my inhaler and still safely manage my asthma to this day:

1. Always Carry Your Inhaler: This one is non-negotiable. Just like I wouldn’t head out for a run without my knee brace when I was recovering, I never leave home without my inhaler. It’s essential to have it on hand in case of a sudden asthma attack.

2. Use Your Inhaler Reactively, Not Preventatively: Instead of taking my inhaler before a workout, I now wait until I actually need it. This approach has allowed my lungs to build strength and resilience on their own. I’m careful to monitor my symptoms and take the inhaler if things get out of hand, but I don’t rely on it as a crutch.

3. Only Use Your Inhaler When Absolutely Necessary: It’s tempting to use the inhaler before every run or practice, knowing it will make things easier. But by doing that, I’d be missing out on an opportunity to let my lungs do the work. I’ve found that pushing through the discomfort helps my body adapt and grow stronger.

4. Gradually Reduce Inhaler Use: Over time, I’ve worked on extending the amount of time I can go without using my inhaler. At first, I might only make it halfway through practice before needing it. But as my lungs have adapted, I’ve been able to go longer and longer without it.

5. The Less You Use, the Less You Need It: This was perhaps the most surprising discovery. The more I cut back on my inhaler use, the less I found I needed it. My body became less reliant on the drug, and my lungs grew stronger as a result.

An inhaler is a lifesaving tool, but I’ve learned that it’s also important to give my body the chance to manage asthma on its own. By using my inhaler reactively and gradually reducing my dependency on it, I’ve been able to maintain my athletic performance without feeling like I’m constantly relying on medication. It’s a delicate balance—one that requires careful attention and, of course, regular consultation with healthcare professionals.

DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS MY OPINION AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER. PLEASE CONSULT A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER FOR GUIDANCE SPECIFIC TO YOUR CASE.