Winter Cycling - cold weather asthma

Ok I just recently got back into biking. I used to go to a local gym to run on a tread mill during the winter(which was no where near the same as outside). I do not have a wind trainer yet(but do plan on buying one at some point). It does not have to get very cold before it sets off my asthma. It is a real work out killer. I know I am not the only one that suffers from this, so what do you guys do to help prevent this? (obviously the ones that suffer from it)
I have looked at some masks on the internet, but am leary that they would be money wasted. Please give what works for you.

I have pretty serious asthma too, but realized when I went out today, I didn't have any trouble. I'm using a neoprene balaclava that includes a place for my nose to sort of stick out and little holes over my mouth. No trouble breathing today.

I'm attaching an image of one that's sort of like mine.

don't forget an inhaler before you leave and to bring it with you as well.

I have been diagnosed with Exercise Induced Asthma, and what works for me is my Seravent Inhaler.

Ive got asthma too. Any temps under about 20 degrees the important thing for me is to cover my mouth and nose with something to help warm the air before it enters the lungs. It really doesnt matter what that thing is, a scarf, bandana, facemask or whatever. Just cover your mouth and nose. Ive found that a cheap dust mask with the exhaust valve in the front of it from the hardware store does wonders. I know it isnt the cats meow in the fashion department, but who cares I can still ride!!! Dont forget to use any meds the doc has prescribed to help prevent any problems.

I concur. Cover the nose and mouth, and carry an emergency inhaler, just in case. You might also consider longer, lower-intensity rides on really cold days. That way you are not sucking in as much cold air on account of not breathing hard. Also better for not getting all sweaty inside your clothes and then feeling clammy and chilly. I'm an inveterate hotrodder, but on days when it's below about 40F, I take it easy. Rather I get to where I'm going with the ability to draw a full breath, and not basted in sweat that go fast and end up a damp, cold, wheezing mess.

I've been wearing this for the past week. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=XA1DDKESTNQXVTQSNOLSCNOOCJVYQIWE?id=0029422950349a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=froogle&cm_cat=data_feed&cm_ite=various&rid=7510101020603&_requestid=86647&_requestid=42361

Cabela's has the lowest price on it. Temps got down to the teens this week and it really worked as advertised. Warm air is all you inhale.
I was worried that the module would restrict air intake, but it doesn't.
They also have a balaclava version which I kind of wish I had gotten. The mask verson tends to slide down if you don't wear a close-fitting cap that also covers the ears. Wearing the cap over top keeps the rear portion of the mask from sliding down in back.

I have it too. For me it is key to breath through my nose as that make the air arrive warmer to my lungs. If you need to stop to blow your nose just do it as breathing through your mouth in cold temperatures is bad for us. I agree with the recommendations to take an inhaler with you and cover your nose and mouth.

warm up for longer and the asthma will be gone ... and for goodness sake keep that thermostat at 60F

I have been diagnosed with Exercise Induced Asthma, and what works for me is my Seravent Inhaler.

I have exercise/cold induced weather. I've tried Rx inhalers and they didn't work for me. What works is over the counter Primatene mist.

Take a hit BEFORE you go out. Once you get stuffed up it takes a lot more mist and a while to get unclogged.

BTW, I'm also have an asthmatic reaction to cat dander and Primatene also does that trick on that too.

I have exercise/cold induced weather. I've tried Rx inhalers and they didn't work for me. What works is over the counter Primatene mist.

Take a hit BEFORE you go out. Once you get stuffed up it takes a lot more mist and a while to get unclogged.

BTW, I'm also have an asthmatic reaction to cat dander and Primatene also does that trick on that too.


My original inhaler didn't work either, but Serevent is a long-lasting inhaler which I take about an hour before I go out, and it lasts for about 12 hours.

I have exercise/cold induced weather. I've tried Rx inhalers and they didn't work for me. What works is over the counter Primatene mist.

Take a hit BEFORE you go out. Once you get stuffed up it takes a lot more mist and a while to get unclogged.

BTW, I'm also have an asthmatic reaction to cat dander and Primatene also does that trick on that too.
I too have cold/exercise-induced athsma. I have made every effort to not use my inhaler, as I tend to become addicted to it after a while. That is to say, the more I use it, the more I need to use it. That sucks, because I spend a lot of time out side doing physical activity [i.e. winter cycling], and I don't want to have to puff all the time. If I do feel myself getting short of breath, it usually just takes a shot of cough medicine [i.e. Robitussin or any DM-having stuff] to bring me back to normal, and it works faster than Ventolin. If you never stop riding outside, your body adapts to the cold more easily. I'm sure I would have trouble if I waited until it was -20C before getting out there. But because I go from 20 to 15 to 10 to 5... it's not such a shock.

Ok I just recently got back into biking. I used to go to a local gym to run on a tread mill during the winter(which was no where near the same as outside). I do not have a wind trainer yet(but do plan on buying one at some point). It does not have to get very cold before it sets off my asthma. It is a real work out killer. I know I am not the only one that suffers from this, so what do you guys do to help prevent this? (obviously the ones that suffer from it)
I have looked at some masks on the internet, but am leary that they would be money wasted. Please give what works for you.
What really works good is a small dose of ephedrine. But if you've been diagnosed with asthma you shouldnt ride below 20degrees. Accellerating your respiratory system in cold weather can cut oxygen to your brain leaving irreversible damage, and the older you get the more it is not worth taking the risk. People who use inhalers are past that threshold and shouldn't even attempt extreme cold weather sports.

My asthma is under control (got out of the moldy apartment, moved away from the cats, no carpets in my house), so the only time I have trouble is when it's cold and I'm on my bike. Times like those is when my best friend is my Albuterol inhaler. I don't need it often, but I don't leave home without it in the winter.

I too have cold/exercise-induced athsma. I have made every effort to not use my inhaler, as I tend to become addicted to it after a while. That is to say, the more I use it, the more I need to use it. That sucks, because I spend a lot of time out side doing physical activity [i.e. winter cycling], and I don't want to have to puff all the time. If I do feel myself getting short of breath, it usually just takes a shot of cough medicine [i.e. Robitussin or any DM-having stuff] to bring me back to normal, and it works faster than Ventolin. If you never stop riding outside, your body adapts to the cold more easily. I'm sure I would have trouble if I waited until it was -20C before getting out there. But because I go from 20 to 15 to 10 to 5... it's not such a shock.

I've found that the better shape I'm in, the less I get the cold weather asthma. When I was working out pretty much seven days a week (TKD, running, swimming, MTBing, lifting) I found that I had no cold weather/exertional asthma at all.

I've found that the better shape I'm in, the less I get the cold weather asthma. When I was working out pretty much seven days a week (TKD, running, swimming, MTBing, lifting) I found that I had no cold weather/exertional asthma at all.
I'm too lazy to work out 7 days/week, but I do agree that the more you get out there and push your limits, the greater your limits are. I disagree with ChroMo2 who said not to go out in the cold at all if you have exercise-induced athsma and use an inhaler. It wasn't that long ago that heart-attack victims were told to avoid all exertion, while now doctors recommend light physical activity in order to strengthen the heart. I wouldn't go run a marathon in -40 temps, but that doesn't mean you should stay off your bike entirely when the weather turns cold. Try short rides to get a feel for it, and take your inhaler as backup. You may find that if you ease into it, the cold days aren't so bad after a while.

I've found that the better shape I'm in, the less I get the cold weather asthma. When I was working out pretty much seven days a week (TKD, running, swimming, MTBing, lifting) I found that I had no cold weather/exertional asthma at all.

I've had the same experience with exercise induced asthma. As long as i ride my bike 5-6 days a week, i have no asthma problems. If i take more than a week off, then i have problems the first few rides.

I ride almost every day but still get cold and exercise induced asthma sometimes when the temperature drops below freezing

I use Advair twice a day, and I usually ride late in the day, so I try to time my evening dose for just before I go out. I carry an Albuterol inhaler at all times, just in case. However, I find that with the Advair before taking off, I never have a problem until I cool down after the ride - sometimes I need a hit from the inhaler when I go back inside. Strange but true...

Lots of good advice. Warming up slowly really does help, but in cold weather I just use my (Albuterol) inhaler first, so I don't have a problem to begin with. One puff lasts me the rest of the day - amazing stuff. I find it better to use it preventively if I feel it is likely that I am going to have an issue, than waiting to have a problem. Asthma attacks and the inflammation associated with wheezing do damage over the long term, so it is better to keep the inflammation down to begin with. In warmer weather or relaxed rides I rarely have to use it.

Velo Girl also hit on an important point which is to eliminate other contributing factors since it is all cumulative. If you have allergies to pets, molds, certain foods, etc, keep them out of the house, avoid wood smoke which is very common in winter, and just take it a little easier this time of year. I finally had to move to the coastal region to clear mine up long term - rarely have a problem anymore.