Like it says in large friendly letters on the cover, "Don't Panic!"

I think (totally personal opinion here) one gets asthma from air pollution. Just look at how asthma rates track pollution levels. So it stands to reason that the more pollution you pump through your lungs, the greater your chance of acquiring it. That being said, some people are susceptible and other's aren't.

EIA is not the same as chronic asthma. If I don't climb 'til I see bits of lung on my shoes, I don't get it. If I didn't ride, I'd never have noticed it. People with chronic asthma have trouble breathing all the time, if they don't take their medication, that is. EIA people just have trouble when they push.

I believe that what Machka is saying is - if you get EIA, take care of it and don't ignore it. It will get worse if you don't take care of it.