Approximately 29 million adults get sinusitis each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health adds there are also 1 billion colds annually in U.S. adults and children. It's likely that if you're an avid exerciser, you're going to fall victim to congestion from a sinus infection or cold sooner or later. You may want to continue your exercise regimen anyway, but before you do, you should carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of continuing to exercise.
Identification
Congestion in your nose and sinuses comes from inflamed blood vessels that lead to swelling of the mucous membranes. It's caused by colds, flu, sinus infections, allergies, polyps or vasomotor rhinitis. Congestion is not only annoying, but it can affect your ability to breathe at rest and while engaging in physical activity.
Considerations
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic Online, says mild to moderate exercise is generally fine if you have a cold but no fever. His rule of thumb is that if your symptoms are above the neck, such as congestion and runny nose, you can continue with your workout at a reduced intensity. If your congestion is in the chest, you should avoid exercising until you are better. A Swedish study published in November 2010 in the journal, Respiratory Research, reported that nasal congestion can be a sign of severe asthma. If you suspect your congestion is caused by asthma, you should consult a health care provider for treatments and advice on how to avoid a condition known as exercise-induced asthma.
Benefits
Dr. Laskowski notes that exercise can help you feel better by temporarily relieving nasal congestion. The American Family Physician journal further notes that exercise can be a useful treatment for congestion because it causes decreased airway resistance and assists with a natural nasal decongestion process in your body.
Disadvantages
If you exercise regularly, you can develop exercise-induced rhinitis, or congestion, according to research in the February 2006 issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The scientists conducting the study found rhinitis caused by outdoor exercise occurs in about 56.1 percent of the total population, even athletes without any nasal allergies. Diving underwater is also an exercise affected by congestion, which makes it more difficult to equalize the pressure in your sinuses and ears and potentially leads to nose bleeds, pain and sinus infections.
References
- Mayo Clinic Online: Is it OK to Exercise if I Have a Cold but no Fever?
- "Respiratory Research": Multi-symptom Asthma is Closely Related to Nasal Blockage, Rhinorrhea and ymptoms of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Nasal Congestion
- "Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology": Exercise-induced Rhinitis: a Common Disorder that Adversely Affects Allergic and Nonallergic Athletes
- "American Family Phyician": Vasomotor Rhinitis
