Does anyone else get sick when they exercise?

[mygreenearth]

I keep attempting to exercise, and each time I do I end up getting sick. I've had this problem since middle school really and everyone just thought I was crazy. Pretty much what happens is I exercise a bit then my chest tightens and I get phlegm. The whole next week I am laid up in bed with a horrible chest cold. I'm actually fearful of exercise because of that. I just did a little bit today and I already feel it coming on. It doesn't matter if I exercise hard or just a little, once my heart rate goes up, I'm done for. Anyone else have this problem? Anyone know how to cure/fix/prevent it? I really feel that if I want to lose as much weight as I need to, I need a good exercise program, but I can't exercise if I'm sick.
Thanks!

[robyn]

but I stopped at 20 minutes because my chest was getting really tight and I started coughing.

This is a classic symptom of exercise induced asthma. The tightness and coughing are exactly what I used to experience. Since there seems to be a family history I think you may have found your answer.

[mygreenearth]

I think I am just going to have to take my exercising much slower, possibly buy an over the counter inhaler, and maybe see a naturopath. I was really hoping it wasn't asthma, maybe something silly like I need more Vitamin x or something. Everyone (family members) always told me I didn't have asthma since I didn't have attacks like my sister and that I just was out of shape or something, but I always felt like it was much more than that, especially since I don't get tired, I just get sick. It seems I am going to have to try to find other ways to exercise and work around this problem.
Thank you!


bitt said:

I find when I take it slow I can work up to doing more. It's like I'm teaching my lungs to stay open

robyn said:

but I stopped at 20 minutes because my chest was getting really tight and I started coughing.

This is a classic symptom of exercise induced asthma. The tightness and coughing are exactly what I used to experience. Since there seems to be a family history I think you may have found your answer.

[Jonathon Dawson]

i had the exact same thing on several different occasions. usually i never get sick but i noticed that within a fortnight of daily exercise i would get a flu or bad cold and i would have to stop exercising. i found out there is such a thing called the jarish-herxheimer reaction which is basically a increase in toxins caused by a sudden breakdown of fatty tissue. The body cannot dispose of them quickly enough because its not used to it and your immunity system takes a hit.

i think the answer is to start off a little slower when exercising. maybe 40 minutes a day for 3 or 4 days a week to begin with then see how you go.

[Beth]

Be careful with Primatene. There have been reports of sudden cardiac death from overuse. One thing that has helped tremendously with my asthma is fish oil, and it has been noted to be especially effective in helping to reduce the severity of exercise-induced asthma. If you Google fish oil and asthma you'll probably find plenty to read on the subject.