Exercise while sick?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2004
Exercise while sick?
2
Tue, 01-18-2005 - 10:28am

So, I have this nasty cold...ugh...but I'm feeling fine. Just a lot of boogies (I have small children, so pardon my "child speak") and a cough, but I am feeling overall pretty good. So, do I go to the gym and sweat it out, or will the exercise draw energy away from my immune system and make this cold last longer? Hmmm... Oh, I've got an ear infection too (not good...I'm a flight attendant) and I'm on antibiotics for that. Any thoughts, ladies?

Thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Tue, 01-18-2005 - 11:14am

This is what I've found and what I heard.....read on


Q. I've heard conflicting information on exercising with a cold. Some people swear that if you work out it will help break your fever and you can get well faster. But I've also heard that you should rest when you have a cold. Which is true? -- Colleen

A. The common cold is characterized by a sore throat, stuffy head, runny nose, sneezing, cough, headache and fever. The decision to exercise or not while fighting the common cold is a personal decision, but before you proceed, do a "neck check." If your symptoms are all located "above the neck" then you can exercise at a reduced intensity.


On the other hand, if your "neck check" reveals symptoms "below the neck" like muscle aches, chills, diarrhea, vomiting or a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, I recommend that you skip your workouts until your "below the neck" symptoms subside.

While there is no medical evidence that exercising during a common cold will speed up your recovery time, it may make you feel more energized than sitting it out on the couch. Also, exercise may temporarily clear a stuffed-up head when you have a cold.

Finally, use your own common sense when deciding to exercise during a bout of the common cold. If you are feeling down right rotten, a few days of rest and relaxation may be just what the doctor has ordered.





my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Tue, 01-18-2005 - 11:40am
My oppinion is to lay off exercise until you've recovered. Your body needs what energy you do have to be able to fight off the infection or illness. That's why doctors always tell you to get plenty of rest. Just in general, we need at least one day a week to rest or else we make ourselves more suseptable to illness. Also, make sure you stay off dairy and sugar during this time. One tablespoon of refined sugar lowers our imune system for 7 hours and dairy causes inflamaiton, especially to our soft membranes such as sinus and ear. Hope this helps!