Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re dealing with the coughing and wheezing that come with a bout of bronchitis. After all, bronchitis causes shortness of breath and chest congestion that can make heavy breathing during exercise unpleasant.
“It’s common for people with certain types of bronchitis to think that exercising is unsafe,” says Dr. John Krcmarik, a board-certified, fellowship-trained pulmonologist and intensivist at Beaufort Memorial Pulmonary Specialists. “For acute bronchitis, exercising may not be a good idea. However, if you have chronic bronchitis, regular exercise can improve how your body uses oxygen and strengthens your breathing muscles, which can help you manage your condition.”
The Different Types of Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus (but can also be from bacterial causes as well) and generally lasts a week or two.
“Viruses spread easily through the air, for instance, when an infected person coughs,” Dr. Krcmarik says. “You can also pick up viruses from touching surfaces, such as countertops and doorknobs, then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Either form of exposure can give you a case of acute bronchitis.”
Most cases of acute bronchitis go away on their own with home care, such as drinking lots of water, keeping a humidifier running nearby, and taking over-the-counter cough suppressants and pain relievers. Exercising if you have chest congestion could worsen the infection, so you may want to take a break from exercising.
Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, lasts much longer and has no cure. Chronic bronchitis is typically part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which also includes emphysema. The main risk factor is smoking, but chronic bronchitis can also develop from prolonged exposure to air pollution, chemicals, dust and fumes. People with certain genetic conditions are also at risk of developing it.
Read More: Could It Be COPD?
Managing chronic bronchitis generally requires medication and making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, giving up tobacco — and getting physical activity.
Bronchitis and Your Workout Routine
If you have chronic bronchitis and have trouble exercising due to breathlessness, enrolling in pulmonary rehabilitation is a good first step.
“Our pulmonary rehab therapists will help you establish an exercise routine that matches your current level of physical fitness,” Dr. Krcmarik says. “Once you get that baseline established, you can gradually increase the intensity of your exercises to improve your breathing and lung function.”
The goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is to help people with chronic bronchitis and other forms of lung disease to exercise or do more with less breathlessness.
And don’t think you need to run a marathon. Walking and cycling are just as beneficial as running and may be easier on your joints.
Keep in mind that you should not exercise if you have a fever, nausea or chest pain or are on supplemental oxygen and have run out.
What About Exercise-Induced Bronchitis?
You may experience difficulty breathing during exercise and think you have exercise-induced bronchitis, but it is actually exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Also known as exercise-induced asthma, EIB results in narrowed airways during physical activity. Symptoms typically go away 10-15 minutes after you stop working out. Inhalers, other medications and lifestyle modifications can keep it under control.
Read More: Living Actively With Asthma
Struggling to breathe? We can help. Find a pulmonologist who can help you learn what’s causing your breathing issues and get the tools necessary to breathe easier.
