E14. Asthma and Exercise: Why Staying Active Is Essential with Dr. Alan Kaplan

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Alan Kaplan — a family doctor who specializes in respiratory medicine and has spent years working to improve asthma care in Canada. Dr. Kaplan is the chair of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada and works closely with Asthma Canada. Together, we unpack what it takes to manage asthma well, the role regular physical activity plays in lung health, and how people with asthma can exercise safely and confidently.We cover a lot of ground in this conversation — from the difference between exercise-induced asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm to why using your inhaler before exercise matters. Dr. Kaplan shares practical advice on medication management, trigger awareness, and how to build up your fitness when you live with asthma, even if it’s severe.We also talk about his career in respiratory care, what’s changed over the years, and why education and a clear plan are key for better asthma control. Whether you live with asthma or care for someone who does, you’ll take away real, useful strategies to help improve quality of life and stay active.If you ever need extra support managing asthma or allergies, Asthma Canada has an excellent Asthma and Allergy Helpline you can reach out to for free. Learn more at https://asthma.ca/get-help/asthma-and-allergy-helpline/.Episode Chapters 01:00 Introduction to Dr. Alan Kaplan 02:16 Asthma and Exercise: The Basics 03:28 Understanding Exercise-Induced Asthma 05:15 Managing Asthma Symptoms During Exercise 10:30 Building Confidence in Exercising with Asthma 14:38 Choosing the Right Exercise for Asthma 16:04 Medications and Asthma Management During Exercise 20:50 The Importance of Exercise for Asthma Management 21:14 Weight Loss and Asthma Control 22:23 Using Peak Flow Meters 22:57 Listener Questions: Natural Therapies and Triggers 26:20 Listener Questions: Exercise and Asthma Control 28:11 Dr. Kaplan's Career and Motivation 31:57 A Life-Changing Asthma Story 36:23 Final Thoughts and AdviceConnect with us (@BeyondTheWheeze):Check us out on InstagramFollow Beyond the Wheeze on LinkedInConnect with us on TikTokFollow us on FacebookSpeaking services, media, blog & news on our websiteEmail Josh directly at [email protected] video podcasts more your thing? Check us out on YouTube!Visit Asthma Canada, or the Lung Health Foundation, to see how you can get involved today.