I have had a cold for more than a week now. All day, all I do is blow my nose and out comes thick mucus. I have been trying to run through it, but I feel weak. What should I do?
I have had a cold for more than a week now. All day, all I do is blow my nose and out comes thick mucus. I have been trying to run through it, but I feel weak. What should I do?
take a break..its your body telling you
If it's been over a week and you still have thick mucus I'd think about seeing a doc. There is a pretty good chance you have an infection going on...
However, if the symptoms are 'above the neck' (i.e. no tight/sore chest, no elevated temp, just coughing, headache and runny nose) then you're fine to exercise lightly... I wouldn't run for more than 30 to 45 min (max) never breaking 'recovery pace'... You should feel much better after the run, if not stop and take some time off.
Obviously I don't know your history, but if you have a minor sore throat and are coughing a bit, sounds like you might have a small sinus infection. Nothing big, but you might want to get it checked out just in case. You probably need to take something to thin everything out. Also, take a couple days off, you won't lose any fitness
Sorry to be gross but what color is the mucus? If it's green or greenish, you probably have a sinus infection and should be seen by a doctor who will tell you take a couple of weeks off and another annoying things. Normally I say 'run through it' but some sicknesses won't just work themselves out. To my knowledge, sinus infections wont just go away eventually like colds and flus if you try fight through them. Take your antibiotics and get back out there. No, you do not need entire weeks to do this, a couple of days ought to do it. (There is of course a limit to how closely you should follow the directions of doctors).
Good Luck and Feel Better!
don't run / exercise if you have a high fever.
http://www.3-fitness.com/ptarticles/illexercise.htm
there was a successful triathlete from the 90's (somebody will know this story ) who worked out while suffering from the flu / it really damaged his health / he had to leave the sport.
I would recommend a netty(sp?)pot, has worked wonders for me. I use it morning and night anytime I feel any discomfort and it clears right up. I used to have sinus infections all the time.