HELP! Cough after running?

jezziebelle

Hi guys! I joined the Navy, and I'm supposed to leave for boot camp TOMORROW!

Friday morning I felt totally fine, then I had to go do my pre-boot camp physical assessment for my recruiter. I did my 1.5 mile run outside, where it was really windy. After my run I started coughing. At first I just thought it was from the cold air, it's only like 40 degrees outside. It's also spring time so I'm a little stuffy from seasonal allergies and I thought maybe some stuff drained into my lungs while I was running.

Strangely though, the cough isn't going away, and it's been like 24 hours. I've never had this happen before but I usually run inside, not outside. The cough is really deep and I can feel stuff rattling around in my chest. Normally I'd think I had a cold or something, but it was just too coincidental that I was FINE before the run and immediately afterward I couldn't stop coughing.

Has anyone else had this problem? I'm really hoping it's not like pneumonia or something, I had that last fall and the cough sounded similar to this. Could it just be from exerting myself in the cold? I leave for boot camp tomorrow! Help!

DamienRiceFan

Do you have asthma? Many people that have allergies also suffer from asthma.

DamienRiceFan

And Good Luck with Boot Camp!

TalonaCat

It could be asthma related. But if you're feeling fluid in your lungs you should definately see a doctor. That almost sounds like it could be turning into pneumonia.

jdejre_k

I get the same thing when I jog outside. Dr said it was asthma and gave me an inhaler. Now I use the inhaler before I jog as a preventative measure and I have not had the problem since.

As a side note, I never had asthma or allergies growing up. My Dr said that one can suddenly develop them in adulthood.

jezziebelle

I've never had a problem with asthma before and I REEEEEEEEEEALLY hope that is not what this is, because if I develop asthma I'll be medically discharged.

lilchino4af

I've never had a problem with asthma before and I REEEEEEEEEEALLY hope that is not what this is, because if I develop asthma I'll be medically discharged.

I went through ROTC in college and before college I never ran. In college we ran A LOT, and I had that problem just about after every hard run I did; didn't matter the weather although I do recall it was worse when it was cold. And yes, it would last all day and sometimes well into the second day. I've never had asthma and I don't have that coughing any more - it went away once my body got conditioned to the running & cardio I was doing. It could be a fluke and weather/seasonal related, so for now I wouldn't worry about it. If you're still coughing after a week, then I would suggest seeing a doctor as it could be something else.

EDIT: I do recall it flared up when I PCS'd from a hot dry climate to a hot and VERY humid climate. But my body acclimated very quickly and it went away. Hopefully my experiences gives you some hope in the matter! Good luck with boot camp!

kwardklinck

I cough and have a runny nose when I run in cold and humid weather. It usually clears up after the run though. Maybe you just happened to catch a cold? If you have a chest cold, you should go see your doctor. I get severe Reactive Airway Disease when I catch a chest cold. It's like asthma but only lasts until the congestion is gone from my lungs.

bolsen21

as some who has been a soldier, do not tell meps, that will disqualify you. After you actually get into basic go to sick call and tell they you noticed this... you should get a profile and inhaler. GOOD LUCK!!

bolsen21

oh and take whever you get from the doctor at home with you... you might be able to get away with it for a while........

jezziebelle

I haven't gone to a doctor, I'm really hoping it's just a reaction to the cold air and such and that it clears up before I get to MEPS Monday morning. My recruiter said as long as it's just a cough and I don't feel sick I should be okay.... but to try to do everything I can to get rid of it before then. Why did this have to happen right now?! Ugh.

bolsen21

menthol halls like crazy girl!!

bolsen21

there are people, lots of people in the army with asthma...as long as it doesn't prohibit from doing duties you'll be fine... i know lots of people with permanent profiles for asthma. but i do agree with the ROTC guy. your just not used to running that fast for that long. give yourself a chance if you cough at meps you have the common cold. after i run sometimes i cough because I'm not used to it anymore.

MisScorpio

Today i ran in the cold. I'm a new runner and it is only my 6th time actually running. It was cold 38* and extremely windy. I felt fine. Got a runny nose during but after found myself coughing. It too sounds as if something is shaking around. I still feel perfectly fine. I do see a Dr tomorrow for a random checkup and i plan to ask her. Just to be safe. I think next time i run in the cold i will buy a runners face mask. I was using my thick ear head band over my mouth & nose to breath in warmer air. I don't have asthma at all. I think it was just the cold. I workout a lot but mostly indoors and on the elliptical for 1- 2 hrs at a time. Maybe it is bc our lungs are not use to the weather. Best luck!