Great Workout Programs

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Should you exercise if you’re sick?

That’s a really popular question, and an important one, especially for parents whose kids are involved in sports.  They can get really stubborn when it comes to not wanting to miss a game.  Smile

And occasionally, the parent will break, go against their better judgment, and give in. 

So what do you do?  If they over do it, they can make themselves sicker. 

Well, hopefully this will help you out the next time your child challenges you, or you challenge yourself.  

I did a bit a searching to see when it’s ok and when it’s not ok play, and here’s what I found:

Because exercise may help to boost immune function, it's usually safe to exercise with a cold as long as you listen to your body.

Still, if you exercise with a cold, it's important to listen to your body. Sometimes cold medications such as decongestants can increase your heart rate. In addition, your heart rate is increased with exercise. The combination of exercise and decongestants can cause your heart to pump very hard. You may become short of breath and have difficulty breathing.  --Web MD

 

Exercise is usually OK if your signs and symptoms are all "above the neck" — symptoms you may have with a common cold, such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing or minor sore throat. Consider reducing the intensity and length of your workout, though, or you may feel worse. Instead of going for a run, take a walk, for example.

Don't exercise if your signs and symptoms are "below the neck" — such as chest congestion, hacking cough or upset stomach.

Don't exercise if you have a fever, fatigue or widespread muscle aches.Mayo Clinic

And, there ya have it!  Straight from two very reliable sources.  Smile 

Hope it helps!

 

 

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