When US sprinter Noah Lyles blitzed his way to gold in the 100 metres at the Olympic Games in Paris, France, there was no sign of the asthma that has plagued him. Despite being diagnosed with asthma as a child and facing other health challenges throughout his life, Lyles refused to let his condition define his running abilities.
Asthma, a chronic respiratory condition that affects the airways in the lungs and causes difficulty in breathing, is often perceived as a limitation for athletes. However, the 27-year-old defied this notion and made history by becoming the fastest man in the world.
After his win, Lyles shared a message on X (Twitter), listing his conditions, including asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and depression, and declaring, “What you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You!”
‘I wanted to collapse’
Tumisang Pule from Kagiso in Johannesburg, who is a two-time World Team Championships Squad Muscat, First National Champ, and Multiple National Finalist as a racewalker athlete, says he faces a significant challenge of asthma, which not only has physical hurdles for him but mental ones too.
“I discovered I had asthma early in 2022, but I had signs even before 2022. It affected me mentally because I started thinking about how I was going to compete peacefully without it disrupting me during my athletic competitions.”
“Common challenges I have to face are always having to sleep with a very heavy chest, having to train or compete, and having to use the asthma pump.”
Tumisang Pule
To alleviate symptoms and maintain his passion for race walking, Pule relies on a combination of medical treatment and home remedies.
“I try to make my chest feel relieved through home remedies like having something hot like med lemon and taking muscle supplements to have the muscles relaxed because I tend to breath badly along the race, which makes me not be relaxed at all.
“I once had a bad competition where breathing was so hard I wanted to collapse because I felt out of oxygen. But having been mentally strong, I tried to make myself relaxed even when it was extremely hard. I tried to lower my pace and breathe in and breathe out because I wanted to see myself to the finish line and never wanted to quit,” Pule says.
Triggers for asthma
According to an asthma article published by Health for Mzansi, Dr Mxolisi Xulu from Mthatha explains that asthmatics must know what initiates their condition, as certain triggers can be fatal.
He highlights triggers such as viral infections (colds), cigarette smoke, air pollution, grass and tree pollen, scented soaps and fragrances, garden blooms, and factories with high air pollution levels.
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“During an attack, a person’s airways constrict, limiting their oxygen delivery. Oxygen therapy for severe attacks provides supplemental oxygen,” Xulu told Health For Mzansi journalist Vateka Halile.
According to Xulu, asthma is quite chronic and cannot be cured. However, he says there are numerous treatment and control options.
He adds that living with it is not a uniform experience; people can show various symptoms and use different treatments; some find it extremely difficult to live with it, while others only experience it seasonally.
“If a person has it severe, they should discuss treatment plans and how to prevent asthma attacks with a physician.”
Dr Mxolisi Xulu
Xulu advises sufferers to consider donning multiple layers of clothing in the event of chilly weather. It is advisable for them to consume warm, predominantly liquid-based sustenance as opposed to chilled beverages.
Competing in sports with asthma
According to Nemours Teen Health, when people with asthma follow their asthma action plan, they can play sports with no complications.
“It can be a challenge at times for people with asthma to play some sports, like those that take a lot of energy with no rest breaks or cold-weather sports. But that doesn’t mean they can’t. Many athletes with asthma have found that with proper training and the right dose and use of medicine, they can play any sport they want.
“Even if you don’t want to be a professional athlete, you benefit from exercising and playing sports. Sports keep you fit. They help you to stay at a healthy weight. Exercise also strengthens the breathing muscles in your chest. If you have asthma, this is very important because it can help your lungs work better,” states the website.
Nemours Teen Health recommends the following:
- Follow an action plan and take all prescribed asthma medicines as your doctor directed.
- Your asthma must be under control before playing sports and you shouldn’t be having lots of flare-ups.
- Make sure you have medication at hand to relieve symptoms.
- Let your coach or teammates know about having asthma and precautions when you work out.
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