How do I get my cardio back after a chest infection?

August 9, 2011 12:29 PM

I had a little chest infection about three weeks ago and now my cardio sucks. I still don't think I'm getting as much oxygen as my body needs to really push it when I jog /spin. Will this just take time, or is there something I can do?

I was rocking it at the gym until this stupid phlegmy chest infection got me about three weeks ago. I only lost about 5 work out days, but now I can't push as hard without feeling out of breath. It's really frustrating. What are some things I can do to get my lung capacity back up and not struggle with my cardio anymore?

Confession: I smoke. Yes, I should stop smoking. Yes, the infection wouldn't have had as much of an effect on me if i didn't smoke. Yes, I'm an idiot.

I know I'm going to get 'stop smoking' answers here, and I deserve them, but can I have some other suggestions too? Thanks.

posted by kitcat to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

Take it slow, it'll come back.
Five missed days shouldn't ruin your cardio, but you were sick, and it'll take time for your body to recover. If you push too hard, you'll hurt yourself. Listen to your body.
posted by Stagger Lee at 12:37 PM on August 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

Ask your doctor for a prescription for a rescue inhaler. Sometimes the very end of a chest infection tends to stick around a while, and the inhaler can be a great help.
posted by bizzyb at 12:41 PM on August 9, 2011

Another vote for seeing a doctor. A nasty virus can set up good conditions for a low-grade bacterial infection to move in. This is doubly true for you since you're a smoker and your lungs are already full of gunk that can give bacteria a cozy place to hide. It may be as simple as needing a round of antibiotics to eradicate the beasties.
posted by TungstenChef at 12:54 PM on August 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

Maybe try some anaerobic activities. There's some evidence that anaerobic training (i.e. interval-type training) can help boost aerobic conditioning.
posted by up in the old hotel at 1:30 PM on August 9, 2011

Make sure you're getting plenty of air movement in your lungs even when you're not exercising, so that they stay well-inflated and don't have lots of crud sitting around to grow microorganisms. So, when you're sitting around the house watching TV or whatever, take a big, slow breath in and then blow it out slowly through pursed lips. Do 5-10 breaths like this, once an hour while you're awake, if you can remember. It's not going to improve your cardio, but it will help your lungs heal, which will make exercising easier.
posted by vytae at 2:34 PM on August 9, 2011 [2 favorites]

I'm glad bizzyb mentioned the rescue inhaler, because I wasn't going to bring it up (I consider my use of one for the same purpose a little sketchy), but it does work.
posted by tigrrrlily at 2:54 PM on August 9, 2011

i had pneumonia at the end of march, and it took me out for six solid weeks. When I started working out again, I could do literally eight minutes on the treadmill at 2.5 miles per hour before my lungs started to burn. It might just take time.

also, stop smoking
posted by KathrynT at 6:11 PM on August 9, 2011

Repeating: help your lungs heal. They can never stop working and rest, so you need to give them more time than you usually would when they're working only minimally. In other words, even if you don't feel sick, REST. Drink lots of extra fluid, to help your system move crud out and to increase your blood volume (only a little, granted, but it helps) so more oxygen goes to those lungs. Often a heating pad/hot water bottle/container of rice heated in a microwave on your chest feels wonderful; the heat relaxes you and, again, encourages more blood around your lungs. And can you possibly smoke a little less while you're healing? No feelings of guilt, just part of the Healing My Lungs program.

If you are really having trouble breathing, a rescue inhaler and/or antibiotics may be called for, but they both have serious side effects and long term problems, so think about it carefully.

And KathrynT is right: it takes more time. Lots of time.

Best wishes for healing!
posted by kestralwing at 8:32 PM on August 9, 2011