Should i swim with bronchitis

Infections such as colds and middle-ear infections are very common ailments among children. However, swimmers with contagious illnesses including flu, cough or a fever are much better served staying at home and resting. Rest assists recovery and, naturally enough, helps avoid the likelihood of the infection being spread to others. Attending a swim lesson can potentially aggravate an ailment further, and may increase the severity and duration of an infection. Swimmers, however, have to time their breaths with their stroke and have a limited instant in which to capture the air needed.

This means your body has to adapt and get used to waiting a little longer, which can build breath endurance. A common storyline during the Summer Olympics is the star swimmer who got into the sport as a child because a doctor recommended it as therapy for asthmatic lungs. Asthma is a chronic condition that narrows airways.

It causes wheezing and difficulty breathing and can be a big problem, potentially even deadly. Swimming has often been recommended to children with asthma as a way of exercising that can build up breath capacity and endurance, which can in turn reduce the problematic symptoms of asthma.

Breathing in warm, humid air—the kind often found in indoor natatoriums—has long been thought to be helpful for keeping your lungs supple and your airways open. Breathing in cold, dry air can be especially triggering for many people with asthma, so during the winter especially, heading to the pool for a workout rather than running outside in the snow is probably a better option for people with asthma. Swimming just might give you abs of steel.

But even more importantly, it strengthens your core as a whole, which is home to the respiratory muscles that move air into and out of your lungs. Every time you breathe in or out, a bunch of muscles help push that air where it needs to go. You have to have a certain amount of strength to do that, and studies have shown that people who swim and practice breath control have stronger respiratory muscles.

This might be helpful, especially as you age, for slowing the rate of lung capacity decline and in helping offset the effects of certain ailments. It also enhances respiratory clearance. Do, however, opt for a mild- or moderate-intensity workout until symptoms clear up. Here are a few that may help: Echinacea Studies have shown that this flower may help stimulate the immune system to better fight off infections such as the common cold, though there is no evidence it will make an infection clear up quicker, notes the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health NCCIH.

According to the NCCIH however, there are not yet good-quality studies to definitely back up these assertions. According to Stanford Children's Health, symptoms of acute bronchitis in children are nearly identical to those in adults: 36 Runny nose Cough Complaints of discomfort or not feeling well Chills Slight fever Body aches Chest congestion and discomfort Wheezing Sore throat Most cases of acute bronchitis in children go away on their own and do not require medications.

Here are some good habits you can follow to stay healthy and prevent getting an infection: 2,8, 38 Wash your hands regularly.

Avoid being in close contact with too many people. Cover your cough so you don't infect others. Wear a face mask or cloth covering your nose and mouth. Get a flu shot every year. Steer clear of things that can irritate your nose, throat, and lungs, such as dust, mold, pet dander, and fumes from chemicals such as cleaning products, paint, or varnish ; if you must use these products, wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.

Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep to help keep your immune system stay strong. Is It Bronchitis or Something Else? Bronchitis is frequently mistaken for something else because it shares symptoms with conditions like the common cold, asthma, and pneumonia.

Do you know how to spot, avoid, and manage it? Reviewed: November 9, Any upper respiratory infection can lead to bronchitis, but some common viruses and the illness they cause associated with bronchitis are: 4,19 Influenza A and B flu Rhinovirus common cold Enterovirus similar to the common cold Respiratory syncytial virus RSV, RSV infection SARS -CoV-2 the novel coronavirus that causes COVID and other coronaviruses, per the American Lung Association 41 While viruses account for the majority of acute bronchitis infections, some bacterial infections can also be a cause.

If your cough persists for longer than three weeks, your doctor may need to evaluate you to rule out these possible conditions: 4 Asthma as many as one-third of patients who have asthma are misdiagnosed as having acute bronchitis Acute or chronic sinusitis Bronchiolitis COPD Sore throat caused by a virus Heart failure Though not common, in some people, the cause of persistent coughing can actually be heart failure, not a respiratory problem.

Pulmonary embolism Pneumonia. American Academy of Family Physicians AAFP This informative overview of bronchitis from AAFP offers a comprehensive summary of the basic aspects of this condition, from symptoms of acute bronchitis to prevention and treatment. Cedars-Sinai What is bronchitis and what can you expect if you have this lung condition?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention This information page on bronchitis offers insights about bronchitis, such as when to seek medical help and home remedies that may ease symptoms. Chest Foundation This detailed resource from the American College of Chest Physicians breaks down important info you need about bronchitis such as how it affects the body, how doctors diagnose and treat the condition, and what resources are available for those seeking more information and support.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Acute Bronchitis. January 11, August 12, June 24, Chronic Bronchitis. American Lung Association. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Learn About Acute Bronchitis. March 17, Bronchitis Overview. April 11, Bronchitis — Acute. Mount Sinai. Think It Might Be Bronchitis? When to See a Doctor. December 27, Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis. Acute Bronchitis: Is It Contagious? May 16, How Flu Spreads.

August 27, National Health Service. July 31, Bronchitis: Diagnosis and Treatment. How Is Bronchitis Diagnosed? What Is Pneumonia? Normally, the diaphragm does most of the work required to fill and empty the lungs. It does this passively, exchanging air mixed with oxygen and gasses, in the space between it and lung tissues.

Over time, inflamed lung tissues become less flexible and do not return to their full form during exhalation, leaving behind stale air. The more stale air in this space, the less room there is for the diaphragm to contract and let in new air. This increases the amount of work the lungs must do to maintain oxygen levels, making breathing more challenging. If the lungs are compromised in any way, they may not be able to cope with the increased oxygen demand for physical exertion.

However, this depends on the extent of the narrowing and mucus content, which is why conditions, such as bronchitis, affect this process. Exercise allows the muscles to become more efficient and use less oxygen. As such, it can help lessen some of the symptoms of bronchitis. If a person is properly hydrated, exercise can also loosen nasal congestion and open the sinuses.

Cases of acute bronchitis are often caused by the common cold and clear up on their own within days. A dry cough may persist for a few weeks after an acute case. In contrast, chronic bronchitis is a condition included in the definition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. The majority of chronic cases in the United States are caused by tobacco smoking. Long-term exposure to environmental toxins or irritants can also cause chronic bronchitis. In chronic cases, symptoms last for at least 3 months per year for 2 successive years and require medical treatment.

What kind and intensity of exercises are appropriate for someone with bronchitis depends on individual needs. It should be safe to exercise if cold or flu symptoms are limited to above the neck. This includes symptoms that affect:. Those with acute bronchitis, however, should refrain from physical exertion while they have symptoms. Typically, this means avoiding purposeful exercise, during the day recovery window.

Once symptoms resolve, it is usually safe to return to low levels of activity. This is the case even if a dry cough remains. Getting back to regular activity levels may take several weeks after acute bronchitis.