A greater understanding of EIB and its diagnosis is needed among providers caring for these patients, because it is likely inadequately considered.Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a transient narrowing of the airways in response to exercise, and should be classified as occurring with underlying asthma (EIBa) or without underlying asthma (EIBwa).EIB may present with or without respiratory symptoms of cough, wheezing, increased mucus production, chest tightness, and dyspnea during or after exercise; it also may present with vague symptoms such as fatigue, decreased athletic performance, "feeling out of shape," and muscle cramps.The pathogenesis of EIB involves stressors to the airway encountered during exercise, including the osmotic effects of inhaled dry air, temperature variations, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, sensory nerve reactivity, and airway epithelial injury. Deposition of allergens, particulate matter, and gaseous pollutants into the airway also contribute.Diagnosis of EIBwa should take into account the athlete's individual clinical scenario and the results of bronchoprovocative challenges, which ideally should replicate the competitive environment in which symptoms occur as closely as possible.Further research is needed to validate bronchoprovocative challenges' individual predictive values.

No abstract

No abstract