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Information about the Coronavirus

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Schedule your COVID-19 test at 203-437-6815.

Health Resource Center tour

Welcome to Griffin Hospital's Community Health Resource Center

The Community Health Resource Center (HRC) at Griffin Hospital is a traditional free lending library that provides an array of medical and health information. The HRC contains a collection of easy-to-read health and lifestyle related materials for patients and their families to become better informed and make more educated decisions about the various treatment options available to them.

Resource Center Hours
  • Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Other times by appointment
Online Resource Searches

Search the Library Catalog from Your Computer

Our online catalog is the modern day version of the "card catalog" and is a quick and easy way to search our online resource database to see what books, journals and magazines are available at the HRC. Books may be borrowed for 4 weeks; journals and magazines must be viewed on site. Click the button to search the online catalog.


Search Our Online Health Library

We have a resource here for you to answer almost all of your questions - whether you're wondering about a disease, a treatment, a subject, and more. DISCLAIMER: This Health Library is for educational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the services provided by this practice/facility. Click the button to start searching. You can also click here to view the Polish database.


Ask a Consumer Health Librarian

Conditions & Treatments Digest
Health information for patients and consumers - covering different conditions, treatments, and specialties.
Health Tips & TopicsGeneral

Exercise-induced Asthma and How to Manage It

You have just finished a great workout when you start coughing. You have a hard time breathing and your chest feels tight. Did you push yourself too hard? Maybe. But you are not out of shape. At least, you did not think so. But this is not the first time this has happened after you have exercised.

If this sounds familiar, you may have exercise-induced asthma (EIA). This is asthma that is triggered by exercise. It often starts 5 to 10 minutes after exercise. It may go away 20 to 60 minutes after you are done exercising.

It may cause you to have:

  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Excess mucus
  • Lack of energy during exercise

These problems often get worse when air pollutants, pollen, or cold, dry air is present.

About EIA

The cause of EIA is not known. It may be because we breathe differently during exercise. Our breaths are quicker and through our mouths. This may affect the lungs because the air that is inhaled has not had time to be warmed and moistened like when it enters through the nose. The cooler and dryer airways cause the muscles around the airways to tighten. This leads to asthma symptoms.

People with asthma or severe rhinitis (hay fever) are more likely to have EIA. It is also more common in athletes.

Ways to Stay Active

EIA should not stop you from being active. There are many ways to manage it. The one that is used will vary from person to person. You may need to use medicines that are inhaled or swallowed to help open your airways. Some medicines may need to be used before exercising and some may be needed daily. Use them as advised by your care team.

Here are some other tips to help you stay active:

  • Warm up before exercising if your doctor thinks it will help.
  • Breathe through your nose—Your nose helps warm the air before it reaches your airways.
  • Try swimming—Indoor pools are warm and moist. There is a smaller chance of an EIA attack. But keep in mind that a heavily chlorinated pool may trigger symptoms.
  • Cold weather care—Wear a face mask or scarf over your nose and mouth when exercising in cold weather. This warms the air before it reaches your lungs.
  • Protect yourself from pollen—If pollen is a problem for you, exercise indoors when pollen counts are high.
  • Adjust the intensity of your workouts—High-intensity aerobic sports, especially in cold weather, are more likely to cause problems.
  • Don't stop trying to stay active. If one method or medicine does not help you, then talk to your doctor. Changes can be made to your care plan to help keep you moving.
If you're providing care for a loved one, we've put together a set of videos that can help you understand everything involved.
Location
(203) 732-7399
  • Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 9am-5pm
  • Wednesday, Thursday: 9am-8pm
  • Saturday: 11am-3pm
130 Division St.
Derby, CT 06418-1326

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