Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is a very common and troublesome disease frequently impairing optimal athletic performance. Although described as early as the second century A.D. and widely known since 1972, EIA often goes unrecognized by both patient and physician. The goals of treatment are to minimize symptoms thus allowing the athlete to participate fully in a broad array of activities and to utilize the most effective pharmacologic drugs available. The recognition and treatment of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) have made significant progress since 1972 when United States swimmer, Rick Demont had his Olympic gold medal award rescinded because of traces of ephedrine were detected in his urine. Lessons from this episode paid dividends subsequently; in preparation for the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles, the U.S. Olympic Committee developed a screening program which identified 67 U.S. team members with EIA. Astoundingly, several of these world-class athletes did not realize they had asthma. Affected individuals were counseled on the prevention of asthma and also on the effective use of medications; 41 won medals in various competitions including track and field, wrestling, basketball, cycling, swimming and rowing. Despite this resounding success, many athletes at all levels of competition still suffer from unrecognized or under-treated EIA despite knowledge of the problem since the second century A.D.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)