Burning Lungs/chest

BombolinaM

Just wondering if anyone has had this same issue. I am on day 2 of getting started at the gym. I tried a kick boxing class but only last 15 mins. In the warm up the instructor had us run around for about 5 mins. I don't know if I wasn't breathing correctly. But right afterwards I was coughing and now my chest and lungs burn and my chest feels heavy when I breathe. I am a social smoker and had my last pack 2 weeks ago. Has anybody experienced this?

elliecolorado

I have had that, but I figured it was because I am a smoker (but have been cutting down since I've been working out more). Usually fr me it's just coughing afterwords, but usually drinking water when I'm done helps. I've found the more water I drink the less of a problem I have.

jsmjboertlein

I experience that everytime I exert myself but I have COPD. I think you should consult your Dr. because even as a social smoker your lungs my not be ready for such an intense workout. It also could just be a coincidence that you happen to be coming down with this wicked chest cold going around just as you are beginning your workout. So I'd def talk to the doc before attempting the class again! I learned the hard way not to push your lungs. I had bad asthma, never smoked, just from allergies and would push through that burn until I tasted blood. Now I have permanent damage and COPD. Trust me! Listen to what your lungs are tellin ya and see a physician. I wish I had.

BombolinaM

Thank you. That is so scary. I am sorry to hear you have COPD. That's my fear from smoking or worse lung cancer. That bad thing is I have no health insurance. I am going to see how I feel in a few days.

anubis609

That's normal. Even socially smoking has its negative effects on lung capacity and function. Your lungs have been damaged due to the carcinogens inhaled from basically inhaling smoke caused by a fire...so naturally, the alveolar sacs in the lungs are going to shrivel and not hold as much air as they should normally. Coupled with that fact, recently quitting is only the first part of lung function recovery.

Since you just started doing cardio, your body needs extra oxygen intake in order to pump through your muscles, so you're going to feel like gasping for air and probably even feel like you're tasting blood or something metallic. Again, perfectly normal. Your lungs are trying to get rid of all that tar that's been building up.

Thirdly, you've already touched on the subject, but proper breathing is vital for proper exercise and prevention of muscle exhaustion and lactic acid buildup. You'll have to find a proper rhythm of breathing that won't hinder you when you're performing activity. Kickboxing is a very strenuous type of activity that requires A LOT of proper breathing. Generally, whenever you're exerting any type of force, i.e. punching, kicking, jumping, crunches, anything that requires you to slightly use your core muscles to contract, you want to breathe out. On the relaxed moves between exerting force, you want to breathe in. It will be really minute and easily unnoticeable if you don't pay attention, but keep that technique in the back of your mind.

If you're running, you will probably find it a bit easier to get a rhythm if you're not taking deep breaths all the time. It should be a light, quick, controlled breathing pattern that speeds up as the routine becomes more fast-paced.

In the meantime, take it easy and do what you can to the best of your ability, but in the interest of weight loss, don't relax so much that you're not breaking a sweat. In other words, push yourself, but not to the point of exhaustion. You could also do breathing exercises when you're not in the gym or doing hard activity to help increase lung function and capacity. Deep breathing routines such as slowly inhaling, as much as you can, through your nose and slowly exhaling, as much as you can, out through your mouth, while contracting your abs as you exhale. Practice breathing out with exertion, say if you shadowbox, exhale in quick bursts as you throw jabs, while practicing to take quick inhaled sips of air as you get ready to throw another jab...things of that nature.

Hopefully that helps you out, and congrats on quitting. I've quit smoking cigarettes recently as well, though I still use an e-cig as nicotine replacement therapy, or an alternative nicotine delivery device, depending on how you wanna look at it. Just stay on a healthy course, and your lungs will regain their health as well.

soze

Burning lung disease! LOL. Well my unprofessional thoughts are that is your lungs clearing out. Stay with it and maybe go a tad slower.

xraychick77

its the smoking. the reason i finally decided to quit for good, was because of that burning in my lungs. i actually woke up one morning with the burning and decided then to quit..been quit for 7 years now.

jsmjboertlein

Thank you. That is so scary. I am sorry to hear you have COPD. That's my fear from smoking or worse lung cancer. That bad thing is I have no health insurance. I am going to see how I feel in a few days.

PFFT! Me neither girl! I feel ya on that issue! Ya def. give it a couple days. I hope for your sake it goes away and gets less frequent the longer you avoid cigs and the more you work out!!

ybba12490

I'm not a smoker so I don't know what to say there, but if its only your second day of getting back to the gym you should take it slower. I had my first day back yesterday and went for 30 minutes and THAT was difficult (I just walked on the treadmill, slight incline, speed 3.5)

After a couple of days of slow, building workouts and good stretching, the gym becomes WAY easier. Start small... what's the rush! A kick boxing class sounds intense also, I would save those for a few weeks! Good luck, I hope it's nothing serious.

BombolinaM

That's normal. Even socially smoking has its negative effects on lung capacity and function. Your lungs have been damaged due to the carcinogens inhaled from basically inhaling smoke caused by a fire...so naturally, the alveolar sacs in the lungs are going to shrivel and not hold as much air as they should normally. Coupled with that fact, recently quitting is only the first part of lung function recovery.

Since you just started doing cardio, your body needs extra oxygen intake in order to pump through your muscles, so you're going to feel like gasping for air and probably even feel like you're tasting blood or something metallic. Again, perfectly normal. Your lungs are trying to get rid of all that tar that's been building up.

Thirdly, you've already touched on the subject, but proper breathing is vital for proper exercise and prevention of muscle exhaustion and lactic acid buildup. You'll have to find a proper rhythm of breathing that won't hinder you when you're performing activity. Kickboxing is a very strenuous type of activity that requires A LOT of proper breathing. Generally, whenever you're exerting any type of force, i.e. punching, kicking, jumping, crunches, anything that requires you to slightly use your core muscles to contract, you want to breathe out. On the relaxed moves between exerting force, you want to breathe in. It will be really minute and easily unnoticeable if you don't pay attention, but keep that technique in the back of your mind.

If you're running, you will probably find it a bit easier to get a rhythm if you're not taking deep breaths all the time. It should be a light, quick, controlled breathing pattern that speeds up as the routine becomes more fast-paced.

In the meantime, take it easy and do what you can to the best of your ability, but in the interest of weight loss, don't relax so much that you're not breaking a sweat. In other words, push yourself, but not to the point of exhaustion. You could also do breathing exercises when you're not in the gym or doing hard activity to help increase lung function and capacity. Deep breathing routines such as slowly inhaling, as much as you can, through your nose and slowly exhaling, as much as you can, out through your mouth, while contracting your abs as you exhale. Practice breathing out with exertion, say if you shadowbox, exhale in quick bursts as you throw jabs, while practicing to take quick inhaled sips of air as you get ready to throw another jab...things of that nature.

Hopefully that helps you out, and congrats on quitting. I've quit smoking cigarettes recently as well, though I still use an e-cig as nicotine replacement therapy, or an alternative nicotine delivery device, depending on how you wanna look at it. Just stay on a healthy course, and your lungs will regain their health as well.

Thank you so much. I appreciate the information. I think doing breathing exercises will definitely help. Congrats on your weight loss. You look great!