Home General Training Discussions

Chest congestion, quick fix?

Caught. another bug this week and started to feel like crap on Monday (flu- like symptoms). Tuesday i was feeling sick but work had me travel from Cleveland to Los Angeles, and even though i knew it was stupid i went for a run with friends because itwas the only opportunity to see these friends on my trip. I felt less sick next day but for the last 4 days my chest seems to be very congested, like there is a glue of snot in my lungs.

What can i do about it (quickly) and would it be safe or stupid to start training again? This week is a transition week after NOS before stArting HIM training.

Comments

  • Get better soon!!
  • Aw Ben, that stinks!

    I've done the following for sinus congestion and it's worked great: Mix 3 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar in 8oz of water and drink it down as fast as you can (You. Will. HATE. Me). Then continue to add a teaspoon of the apple cider vinegar to whatever you're drinking throughout the day, and repeat the 3 Tbsps again the following day (I usually do three days). Your body's pH becomes more alkaline during a cold and the apple cider vinegar will help restore the balance and break up the congestion. Yes, it MUST be apple cider vinegar - not white vinegar or any other random kind of vinegar. When the congestion is better, you can add a few drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract to your water... it's a potent antibacterial and will help your healing along.

    Really hope this helps!!!

    OH.... and avoid dairy.... and maybe go get a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia if this is still an issue in a couple of days (gosh, I hope not!)!
  • Thanks Jess! Unfortunately because if the forum not being accessible till this morning I didn't see your response until today, and went out yesterday to buy Mucinex. Lungs are starting to feel better and the congestion seems to have 'moved' to the sinuses now (which at least allows to blow out a lot of that mucus). Good sign or not? I'd try the apple cider vinegar idea but I don't think I can do it for practical concerns (lots of air travel in the next couple of days).
  • Its hard to make diagnosis with just listed symptoms on a web page but here are some things to consider.

    1) If the mucinex is working for you and you feel its just a "snot" thing and the cough is getting better and you are not having fever or blood tinged mucous, then probably you have a simple upper respiratory virus and you might consider adding dextromethorphan (dm) to help with cough and a non sedating antihistamine like claritin or zyrtec (mostly non sedating) to help dry up the mucous. Train as you feel.

    2) if the above with blood tinged mucous and sinus pain to touch, consider sinus infection and see a doc about antibiotic to help get quicker resolution.

    3) if you thought you had a good chance of previously having flu, and you now have cough, fever, or chest discomfort that just isn't getting any better, having flu though it resolves can set someone up for either a bronchitis or a pneumonia that occurs secondary and would be best to see a doc for an antibiotic and go easier to resting regarding training until recovered.

    Just a family physician's input and I hope you are back training 100% soon!!!
  • Start drinking heavily and just see how it pans out... I bet you are tip top by the Pasadena Rock and Roll....

  • Posted By Zane Harvey on 10 Feb 2013 04:28 PM
    Its hard to make diagnosis with just listed symptoms on a web page but here are some things to consider.

    1) If the mucinex is working for you and you feel its just a "snot" thing and the cough is getting better and you are not having fever or blood tinged mucous, then probably you have a simple upper respiratory virus and you might consider adding dextromethorphan (dm) to help with cough and a non sedating antihistamine like claritin or zyrtec (mostly non sedating) to help dry up the mucous. Train as you feel.

    2) if the above with blood tinged mucous and sinus pain to touch, consider sinus infection and see a doc about antibiotic to help get quicker resolution.

    3) if you thought you had a good chance of previously having flu, and you now have cough, fever, or chest discomfort that just isn't getting any better, having flu though it resolves can set someone up for either a bronchitis or a pneumonia that occurs secondary and would be best to see a doc for an antibiotic and go easier to resting regarding training until recovered.

    Just a family physician's input and I hope you are back training 100% soon!!!
    Thanks Zane, very much appreciate your thoughts! I think it's #1, because no blood or sinus pain, and I really do not think I can have had the flu (though I've had some 'bugs' the weeks before, but nothing near what flu should be like). I will use some claritin also, but definitely have gotten a lot better in the last 2 days.
  • Thanks for posting this question. I'm mere days away from my first HIM and I've been feeling like crap for the last week and a half ... my cough is getting worse and now keeps me awake at night. Going to give some of the above suggestions a try and hope for the best come race day (on Saturday). So annoying since I'm typically a very healthy person and rarely get sick.
Sign In or Register to comment.