Can you sweat out the flu




















One of the most serious side effects of fever is dehydration, especially in children. As your fever breaks and your body sweats to cool you down, you lose electrolytes. In addition, many infections that cause fever result in other symptoms — like vomiting and diarrhea — that can further increase the risk of dehydration.

To remedy dehydration when you have a fever, reach for an oral rehydration solution. DripDrop ORS is easy to add to a glass of water. If you have a chill, you can also drink it hot with apple cider and honey lemon ginger flavors. Try it with our convenient trial and become a subscriber when you decide to add it to your permanent dehydration protocol.

Cold Flavors. Hot Flavors. All Flavors. Trial Packs. Water Bottle. Store Locator. How it Works. ORS Research. Founding Story. Our Mission. Mission Timeline. No items in your cart. Medical Conditions. Fever typically occurs when the human body is fighting off an infection like the cold or flu. Symptoms include muscle aches, sweating, and chills.

People who have fevers are also at higher risk of developing dehydration. Causes of a Fever Normal fluctuations in body temperature can vary by one or two degrees without any side effects.

Here are the main fever causes: Viral infections or bacterial infections Inflammatory medical conditions, including Rheumatoid arthritis Malignant tumors Certain medications including high blood pressure medications Certain immunizations for infectious diseases including measles and DTaP Heat exhaustion Symptoms of a Fever Fever symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause.

Here are the main fever symptoms: Sweating and night sweats Chills Loss of appetite Febrile seizures — convulsions in infants caused by high body temperatures Headache Chest pain Muscle aches Irritability Tiredness, soreness, weakness Dehydration While most symptoms of fever are not life-threatening, dehydration can cause serious health problems. One is "sweating out a cold. The biggest concern with trying to sweat out a cold is that you're losing fluids and electrolytes, which can dehydrate you and is the opposite of what you need.

So, why is this idea so common if it's obviously bad for you? The idea may have something to do with a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences involving mice reported that the common viral strain for the cold, called rhinovirus, thrived most in temperatures below So the theory was that increasing your body temperature beyond that ie.

But Septimus says there's no data showing that increased body temperature helps fight a cold , and, we are not mice. In fact, we want to minimize fluid loss from sweating, which is one of the reasons why doctors recommend acetaminophen when you have a fever. Sweating might not get rid of a cold, but there are activities related to sweating that can help you fend off a cold or relieve symptoms.

For example, exercise. A study published in in Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science suggested that immune-boosting effects from moderate exercise could help prevent colds. But the study also suggested that too much exercise had the opposite effect. Exercise can also help decrease nasal congestion for a short time. The key thing to remember, Septimus says, is to listen to your body.

If symptoms are mild and there is no fever, aches , or serious fatigue, exercise could be beneficial. While going for a jog or sitting in a sauna may offer temporary relief from congestion, they cannot shorten the duration of your cold.

According to family medicine physician David Cutler, M. No matter how much you run, jump, and perspire, a typical cold will last anywhere from seven to 10 days. Austin-based holistic doctor Elena Villanueva, D.

She says as the body temperature rises, the virus is killed off. He continues that mild fever, production of mucus, and fatigue are all signs that your immune system is hard at work. If you have mild symptoms, Cutler does say that mild exercise such as walking, yoga, or stretching do get the green light when dealing with a cold. Just be sure to stay hydrated during any activity you choose.

However, both Cutler and Villanueva agree that working out more rigorously while dealing with a cold can make things worse. Cutler says that strenuous exercise "can cause you to sweat more, become more dehydrated, and expend energy on exercise instead of on fighting off the illness. This particularly applies if you have a fever. And in case you were wondering if it's safe to hit the gym, Villanueva answers that with a big fat no. Not only do you want to avoid spreading germs, but you should also do your best to stay home and rest if you're feeling sick.

Since you won't be hitting the treadmill or elliptical during the duration of your cold, you may be wondering if steam rooms and saunas can play a positive role in alleviating cold symptoms.

Cutler believes that these pose the same issues as working out and should be avoided. In fact, one research review with participants found heated, humidified air didn't provide significant symptomatic relief for the common cold. If you insist on trying saunas for temporary relief, Villanueva notes, "Fluid loss is an important component to take into consideration.

And like the gym, if your sauna or steam room of choice is a communal or public space, it's best to stay home and fight off the cold naturally to avoid contaminating others. The whole excessive sweating thing doesn't seem to be the best decision, but there are some other go-to strategies that may offer some relief. Villanueva suggests reaching for foods and supplements that support your immune system like chicken soup, vitamin C , cinnamon, oregano, honey, and ginger.

And of course, staying hydrated and getting adequate rest is crucial. Sorry to say it, but it's not actually possible or beneficial to sweat out your cold. If you're feeling sick, no matter the symptoms, it's always best to stay home, rest up, and drink plenty of liquids. There will be plenty of time to sweat through a workout once you've recovered.



0コメント

  • 1000 / 1000