Why do I get sick so easily??

[Thermophage]

 

Cold weather / conditions (water) is not what gives you a cold. In that case the people in Skandinavian countries should have died out long ago. What affects whether you get sick or not is how you react to the cold / being wet.

 

Thank goodness...finally someone else who bothered to actually think about that old BS wives tale

[Caerus]

Hi guys

 

I train around 5-6 days a week and this past winter I've literally been more off the bike because of illness than on it! It takes me around 3 weeks to get rid of a cold that I picked up just from swimming in some cold water etc.

 

Is this normal? I know that, as a cyclist, your immune system is always on a low, but is it that bad??

 

Do you guys/gals also get sick so easily? How can you stop this?

 

Thanks

 

 

Is it common for a cyclist to have a low immune system, if so why? That just seems strange to me

[leet22]

Thank goodness...finally someone else who bothered to actually think about that old BS wives tale

I have this argument everyday when i send my staff to the deep freeze for something. But I will get sick Chef.

[flymango]

Moducare!! Miracle supplement. As an insulin dependent diabetic, my immune system is supposed to be compromised. Started using Moducare 2 years ago and haven't enjoyed better health since (apart from cycling, of course). And as others have said - rest is the balance between over and under training. In my case, I rest far too much!!

[cat-i]

Some random thoughts / questions:

 

Some years the flu strains are just worse than others.

 

sometimes it's not the 'flu though - could just be a common allergy that causes a runny nose, but in stead of shaking it off like it usually does (if your immune system is in place), it becomes an infection and moves down to your lungs.

 

my own totally unscientific theory goes like this: after you trained, your body needs to concentrate on recovery, and it doesn't multitask that well, so while it's recovering, it lets the guard down a little bit, so when there's an allergy or an irritation or a mild flu strain, the defense system don't pay attention (cos it's busy somewhere else), and you get sick. my own totally unscientific solution is to just rest inbetween training sessions (like teh-runner said) ... and helping it by adding some multivitamins won't harm ... or african potato, garlic and lemon (the last bit of unscientific theory i heard somewhere else, though)

Edited October 13, 2010 by cat-i

['Dale]

Underresting is the source of your struggle, I guess...

 

Also, check between your ears how you are mentally. For example, if you should go low intensity, do your end up going too hard too long?

[chris_w_65]

Is it common for a cyclist to have a low immune system, if so why? That just seems strange to me

 

Not in my experience, more likely with running especially after a 42km or 50km race

[Rapunzel]

doesn't genetics also play a big role? Some people just appear to degrade from a cold to flu much faster than others.

(touch wood when I say this) I've only been sick enough to keep me from exercising twice in the past 12 years but I generally cut back on intensity and duration of exercise if I get a head cold. Supplementing with vitC and zinc does help to clear a cold faster.

[dcal]

I have been proper sick only once in three years...

My secret...eat decently and avoid taking antibiotics unless you are going to die...those things mess with your immune system as far as I'm concerned.

 

Oh, and we train Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri and Sat/Sun. Short in the week after work and maybe a bit longer on weekends (if that helps).

I definitely find though that I am stronger after a few days off the bike.

I agree

just keep it natural

[Elastogirl]

I've never had flue in my entire life. I did however start to get sick 2 years ago every time during March/Oct and will then struggle with a cough for weeks. I lost 12 kgs since beginning of year and eat all my portions of proteins and veggies/fruit every day. Never been sick since. Take flaxseed and good multivite and some extra zink every single day. :clap: :clap:

[DMC007]

I'll be the 3rd person mentioning this....

Supplement_Vitamin C (1000mg per day). And not only when you think you getting sick.

[mark ellis]

Thanks for the reply Bikemonster

 

I got sick and recovered in around 2 weeks time. I trained LSD 2 hours a day for about 3 days

 

dude, training when on drugs is bad! especially lsd!

 

ok on a serious note, i heard Raynard Tissink talk once about a season he had that went pear shaped, saying how the entire season he was getting sick and he was saying as many have already said how it came down to the amount he was training, think it was the season after he had done so well in the world iron man circit, he increased he training so much and that his body was working so hard to recover from his sessions that his imune system became very week.

 

he started using a product call moducare to boost his imune system and had a masive improvment, i know these guys will say what ever for these products, my mom has cancer and one of the things she was advised to take was this moducare thing because it works so well, might worth a look

[flymango]

dude, training when on drugs is bad! especially lsd!

 

ok on a serious note, i heard Raynard Tissink talk once about a season he had that went pear shaped, saying how the entire season he was getting sick and he was saying as many have already said how it came down to the amount he was training, think it was the season after he had done so well in the world iron man circit, he increased he training so much and that his body was working so hard to recover from his sessions that his imune system became very week.

 

he started using a product call moducare to boost his imune system and had a masive improvment, i know these guys will say what ever for these products, my mom has cancer and one of the things she was advised to take was this moducare thing because it works so well, might worth a look

+1. See my comments above about Moducare. Seriously good. Bit expensive though.

['Dale]

Are there any medical screening one can do to assess one's immune system? 

Who knows?

[nickc]

I used to get sick the moment I bumped up my intesity but since I tried Moducare I have definitly been able to ramp up my intensity without getting sick.

[Noneking]

Hi guys

 

I train around 5-6 days a week and this past winter I've literally been more off the bike because of illness than on it! It takes me around 3 weeks to get rid of a cold that I picked up just from swimming in some cold water etc.

 

Is this normal? I know that, as a cyclist, your immune system is always on a low, but is it that bad??

 

Do you guys/gals also get sick so easily? How can you stop this?

 

Thanks

I used to get sick all the time. Got myself a good Vit supplement and, touch wood, I've never been this healthy through winter. Also cut sugar and wheat out of my diet.