Should One Exercise with a Cold?
An average adult suffers from two or three upper respiratory infections each year. While suffering from common cold or cough infections, one often wonders if he must continue exercising with a cold or flu infection. Many health experts say that exercising with a head cold is okay, however, if you are showing extreme symptoms like fever then you should discontinue exercising. Here are some reasons why one should continue working out when having a cold.
Why One Should Continue Exercising Even With a Cold?
Listed below, are many reasons due to which one should continue exercising when having a cold.
Helps Improve Immunity
Exercise helps boost immune system, and it is usually safe to exercise when having a cold. Continuing your workout while having a cold can help you to breathe better. A research confirms that moderate exercise program can help to increase immunity and resistance against common respiratory infections. However, athletes who push their physical activity with intense workouts without sufficient recovery, might actually decrease their immunity.
Skipping a Program Habit
Discontinuing your exercising when having common cold, can form a habit. Also, this can skip you an exercise program, and thus your aim of joining the exercise program will not be achieved.
No Symptoms Difference
A small study with a group showed that while working out with a head cold, the group performed the normal physical activity and had the same stamina. The subjects were later on asked about their symptoms and physical activity, the investigators found no difference in the symptoms and there was no difference in time which took them to recover them from the cold.
Why Should One Discontinue Working Out When Having a Cold?
Here, are many situations in which you should stop working out when suffering from cold.
Cold Medication
If you are having cold medications like nasal decongestants which increase your heart rate, then the combination of exercise and decongestants can pump your heart very hard. This might lead to shortness of breath and one can have difficulty while breathing.
People with asthma condition, while exercising having a cold can however get symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Such symptoms might require to use more than asthma medication to open the airways, use of more medication can lead to increased heart rate.
More Than a Head Cold
If you are having more than a head cold symptoms, which means the infection has spread to your throat or your lungs, then you should discontinue working out. In such cases, it is better that you listen to your body and rest instead of working out while having a cold.
When to Contact Doctor
If you continue exercising with cold when having symptoms like increased chest congestion, difficulty with balance, difficulty catching your breath, light-headedness or dizziness, coughing or wheezing, trouble breathing or excessive shortness of breath, or chest tightness or pressure, then contact your doctor.
Additional Tips to Recover Faster
To recover faster from cold, eat a well balance diet. Immune system depends on many essential vitamins and minerals, hence eat a well-balanced diet which contains healthy foods. Especially, eat foods rich in vitamin C, as it greatly helps to fight and prevent colds. Drink plenty of water, when working out while having a cold, to keep your body hydrated. Get enough rest, to recover faster. To prevent catching cold or other infections, wash your hands frequently, this is the best prevention against many common infections.
These were the reasons which is why one should continue exercising, and some situations in which one should avoid working out while suffering from cold and flu. Also, remember the situation when you need to seek medical help, to prevent any complications.
