Guest Author - Cheryl Tidball, DO
Shannon Briggs, two-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, has fought formidable opponents in the ring for years, but none has been as difficult as his lifetime rival, asthma. Although he has not been able to cure his asthma, he has learned to put it in its place. He hopes to use his professional and personal experiences to educate and encourage other asthmatics to become more active and not let asthma control their lives. He wants all asthmatics to be able to be active and do all of the things that they love. When asked what advice he had for asthmatics, particularly young asthmatic athletes, he had several ideas to share that have worked for him.
1) Control triggers when possible—Shannon moved from Brooklyn to Florida because he found that cold air severely aggravated his symptoms. He also avoids pet hair, mold and dust mites as much as possible.
2) Diet—A low-salt, low-sugar, and low or dairy-free diet has helped him control food allergies and keep his energy level high. He says sometimes he is able to tolerate small amounts of some dairy products, but he has to be careful.
3) Exercise—“Pace yourself,” says Shannon. “I don’t try to go out and run five miles all at once. I might run a half-mile, and then walk a half-mile. Build up higher as you go along. It’s okay to build up your stamina gradually.”
4) Breathing exercises—Spending time every day doing quiet breathing exercises and meditation has been essential in Shannon’s training routine. By doing this, he has learned to control his breathing even in difficult situations.
5) Medications—Shannon, like many other asthmatics, finds it necessary to take a variety of medications every day to control his symptoms, including short- and long-acting bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, and several different allergy medications. “I just have to try and see what works and what doesn’t,” he says.
6) Be persistent—“You might have to train differently than others,” Shannon adds. But by slowly working at building up your skills, you can achieve your goals.
