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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Athletic Activity with Bronchitis
Answered by
CO
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Athletic Activity with Bronchitis
by kace824, Aug 26, 2009 06:46PM
Hello,
I am a 27-year-old female with a history of sinus problems. Two days ago, I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and bronchitis. My chest x-rays came back normal, but I'm experiencing extreme tightness in my chest, wheezing, coughing, trouble taking deep breaths, etc.
I received a nebulizer treatment at the doctor's office, and am currently on two weeks of 1000mg daily of antibiotics, as well as prednisone and an inhaler. While I'm certainly beginning to feel better, I'm still having a lot of trouble taking deep breaths and having trouble just walking around without getting out of breath and coughing. My doctor obviously advised me to take some time off from hard activity, get rest and fluid, etc.
My question is this: I have been training for months for a sprint triathlon (.5 mile swim, 13 mile bike, 5k race) that's to take place this Sunday. Most of the athletes I've been training with it say skip the race and try again next year, as the race conditions are expected to be pretty cold and obviously strenuous. But the thought of all of my training going to waste is killing me.
I realize this might sound like a stupid question (and I'm sure I sort of already know the answer), but what is the general rule about strenuous exercise with a condition like bronchitis?
I'd appreciate any help you might be able to give me. Thank you for your time.
I am a 27-year-old female with a history of sinus problems. Two days ago, I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and bronchitis. My chest x-rays came back normal, but I'm experiencing extreme tightness in my chest, wheezing, coughing, trouble taking deep breaths, etc.
I received a nebulizer treatment at the doctor's office, and am currently on two weeks of 1000mg daily of antibiotics, as well as prednisone and an inhaler. While I'm certainly beginning to feel better, I'm still having a lot of trouble taking deep breaths and having trouble just walking around without getting out of breath and coughing. My doctor obviously advised me to take some time off from hard activity, get rest and fluid, etc.
My question is this: I have been training for months for a sprint triathlon (.5 mile swim, 13 mile bike, 5k race) that's to take place this Sunday. Most of the athletes I've been training with it say skip the race and try again next year, as the race conditions are expected to be pretty cold and obviously strenuous. But the thought of all of my training going to waste is killing me.
I realize this might sound like a stupid question (and I'm sure I sort of already know the answer), but what is the general rule about strenuous exercise with a condition like bronchitis?
I'd appreciate any help you might be able to give me. Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Aug 28, 2009 08:55AM
, Aug 28, 2009 08:55AMTo: kace824
I agree with your friends who have advised you to “skip the race”. You are only 27 years old, your training will not have gone to waste, and there will be plenty more races in your future. You should definitely take time off, work at being well hydrated and get plenty of rest.
The following is more important. While you probably have either bronchitis or asthma, either of which could be precipitated by a sinus infection, we should not assume that that is the correct diagnosis. Getting a severe bout of infectious bronchitis in the summer, resulting in “extreme tightness” of your chest and, “trouble taking deep breaths”, would be relatively unusual. And this is especially true if you do not smoke cigarettes and I would be very surprised to find out that an athlete, such as yourself, smokes.
Most important is that you and your doctor consider the possibility that this is not simply sinusitis with secondary bronchitis. Two diagnoses to be considered are: 1) pneumonia, despite the allegedly clear chest X-ray and, 2) blood clots to the lungs (a likely possibility if you are taking birth control pills), either of which could cause your symptoms, especially the extreme chest tightness, and would be especially worrisome if the “extreme tightness” was experienced by you, at a time when the examiner heard good breath sounds with little or no wheezing.
I suggest that, unless your symptoms have dramatically improved by the time you receive this message, you arrange to be re-examined and re-evaluated with consideration of pneumonia, blood clots or some type of non-infectious, allergic pneumonia.
Good luck
The following is more important. While you probably have either bronchitis or asthma, either of which could be precipitated by a sinus infection, we should not assume that that is the correct diagnosis. Getting a severe bout of infectious bronchitis in the summer, resulting in “extreme tightness” of your chest and, “trouble taking deep breaths”, would be relatively unusual. And this is especially true if you do not smoke cigarettes and I would be very surprised to find out that an athlete, such as yourself, smokes.
Most important is that you and your doctor consider the possibility that this is not simply sinusitis with secondary bronchitis. Two diagnoses to be considered are: 1) pneumonia, despite the allegedly clear chest X-ray and, 2) blood clots to the lungs (a likely possibility if you are taking birth control pills), either of which could cause your symptoms, especially the extreme chest tightness, and would be especially worrisome if the “extreme tightness” was experienced by you, at a time when the examiner heard good breath sounds with little or no wheezing.
I suggest that, unless your symptoms have dramatically improved by the time you receive this message, you arrange to be re-examined and re-evaluated with consideration of pneumonia, blood clots or some type of non-infectious, allergic pneumonia.
Good luck
