From msn.com
To Exercise or Not to Exercise
With cold season upon us, it's good to know when to workout and when not
by Michele Stanten with Selene Yeager
Q: Can I exercise when I have a cold?
A: If you have a cold, it's generally okay to work out. A recent study found that moderate exercise had no effect on the duration or severity of a cold. So both exercisers and non-exercisers suffered for the same amount of time. But you may feel better if you work out. Exercise releases adrenaline, also called epinephrine, a natural decongestant, which may help clear nasal passages. It may also help you feel better mentally.
One caution: Exercise at a lower intensity than normal --and pay attention to your body. If you start to feel worse, stop exercising and rest instead. High intensity workouts such as running long distances may actually depress your immune system, making you more susceptible to getting sick or increasing the severity of an illness.
If you've got the flu, though, skip your workout -- even if it's low intensity. Here's how to distinguish between cold and flu symptoms, and know when it's okay to exercise and when it's not.
Exercise okay if you have:
runny nose
sniffling and sneezing
scratchy throat
Skip the workout if you have:
fever
body aches or headache
vomiting or diarrhea
chest congestion and a cough
Michele Stanten is a certified group fitness instructor and lifestyle counselor in the areas of weight control and stress management. Selene Yeager is an ACE-certified trainer and a contributing fitness editor to Prevention.
