Generally, individuals suffering from acute bronchitis do not feel like exercising, since fever, difficulty breathing and fatigue often accompany this condition. However, when someone who is accustomed to working out every day is denied the ability to exercise, inactivity may make her feel worse. As with any illness, exercising should be kept to a minimum, or in the case of acute bronchitis, avoided altogether, depending on the severity of the disease and what the physician recommends.
Acute Bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes responsible for allowing air to travel to the lungs. Swelling of the tubes and excessive mucous cause intense spells of coughing, wheezing and chest pain. A diagnosis of acute bronchitis means that the infection usually will disappear in a couple weeks, either on its own or with the help of antibiotics, if it is bacterial bronchitis. Most bronchitis is viral, however, affecting someone who has experienced an upper respiratory infection or flu. Acute bronchitis also can be caused by inhaling irritants such as smoke or acrid, caustic chemicals.
Acute Bronchitis Symptoms
Bronchitis usually begins with a hacking cough that soon develops into a deep, sometimes painful cough that produces phlegm. Tiredness and a low-grade fever may accompany bronchitis. While most people feel better after a week or two, a bad cough may persist that prevents the person from feeling healthy. This is the stage when most people want to return to exercising, since it is only a nagging cough and not the debilitating symptoms of flu or respiratory illness. Frequently, a doctor will take a chest X-ray to rule out pneumonia or other lung issues when someone has acute bronchitis.
Acute Bronchitis and Exercise
Exercising while afflicted with bronchitis may not be in your best interest. Because the bronchial tubes carry oxygen to the lungs and exercise increases the breathing rate, these still-inflamed airways may be aggravated by an increase in use. Swelling may escalate because of exercising, which impedes airflow and stimulates coughing. Coughing is simply the lungs' way of getting more oxygen into the air sacs. In addition, your body may not be fully recovered and operating at an optimal level. Drawing on energy resources that have not been renewed decreases the immune system's ability to respond effectively.
Caution
When exercising with acute bronchitis, routines should consist of low-impact activities such as slow to moderate walking, simple water aerobics or any exercise that does provoke an excessive increase in heart and breathing rates. If coughing occurs, stop the exercise and drink one or two glasses of water to clear your passageways of irritants. You may wish to cease the activity. If acute bronchitis symptoms worsen the next day, avoid further exercise until the illness has subsided.
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