During an exercise-induced asthma attack, what type of breathing alteration occurs?

During an exercise-induced asthma attack, individuals typically switch from nose breathing to mouth breathing. This occurs because physical exertion increases the demand for oxygen, causing a person to breathe more quickly and deeply. Mouth breathing allows for a greater volume of air to be inhaled and exhaled efficiently compared to nasal breathing, especially during intense physical activity.

Nasal breathing is usually preferred during normal activities because it helps to filter, humidify, and warm the air before it enters the lungs. However, during an asthma attack, the airway is constricted and may react more negatively to the elements in the air, making mouth breathing more instinctual as a means to rapidly increase airflow. This adaptation can also be observed as breathing becomes more urgent when an asthma attack is triggered due to the body's need for more oxygen and the potential narrowing of the bronchial passages.