Exercise-induced asthma.

All asthmatics have exercise-induced asthma (EIA). In periods where the asthma spontaneously deteriorate, there will be more exercise-induced asthma. About 3/4 of the asthmatics will have a positive exercise test on the first challenge. Exercise is not the best test to obtain the diagnosis of asthma, as other tests, e.g. inhalation of histamine, is more sensitive and specific. The best pretreatment of EIA is inhaled beta 2-agonists. Inhaled, nebulized SCG seem to offer better protection against EIA than inhalation of SCG as a powder and is most effective in children. EIA should today primarily be used in studies concerning the pathogenesis of asthma and in the evaluation of medication against asthma.