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Let’s talk about sex … and how it can cause an asthma attack

Most people would welcome a steamy encounter between the sheets which took their breath away.

But scientists have warned that sexual intercourse is as strenuous as walking up two flights of stairs, and could trigger a dangerous asthma attack.

A new study being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) scientific meeting has shown that sex-induced asthma may be common - but people are too embarrassed to talk about it with their doctor. 

Dr Ariel Leung, Chief Internal Medicine Resident at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California, said: “We wanted to investigate whether case studies on asthma exacerbations mentioned sexual activity as a possible cause.

“Many people don’t realize that the energy expenditure of sexual activity is about equivalent to walking up two flights of stairs.

“Reported cases are infrequent, possibly because those suffering an asthma flare may not realise the trigger.”

Experts trawled medical databases looking for case studies of people who had suffered from sex-induced asthma, which they believe is similar to exercise-induced asthma.

Although they found only a handful of cases, they believe the problem is likely to be more widespread, but people do not realise that it is sex that is causing their asthma, or are reluctant to talk about the problem with their doctor.

Approximately five to 20 percent of the general population suffer from exercise-induced asthma, so experts think the problem could be common.

Asthma UK advises that if sex is causing asthma it is a sign that the condition is not being controlled properly. The charity warned that intercourse should be treated like exercise because it raises the heart rate and can cause more rapid breathing.

“Another possible cause of underreporting of this condition is the intimate nature of the subject,” said Dr A M Aminian, an ACAAI member and co-author of the study.

“People may not be comfortable discussing with their allergist an asthma flare that was caused by sex. But allergists are specialists in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of asthma.

“If anyone would be able to guide a patient in how to avoid an asthma flare in the future, it would be their allergist.

“When sexual activity-induced asthma is properly identified and treated, allergists are better able to improve their patient’s quality of life.”

Experts say if people experience an asthma attack during sex, they should ask their partner to stop, use an inhaler and rest until they feel better.

“We recommend that patients take their SABA (Short-Acting Beta-Agonist) - most likely their albuterol inhaler - 30 minutes prior to sexual intercourse to prevent an asthma attack,” added Dr Leung. 

 Reference: The Telegraph: Sarah Knapton

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jwplayer-thumbnail-2880449.jpg© Provided by The Independent

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