Should You Sweat Out Your Cold?
We can all imagine the famous scene where a sick person is sitting on the couch not feeling well. Tissue for a red nose. Nearby is a humidifier. The person has a few blankets pulled around them with a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup. Why is this such a familiar scene? It is called the sweat it out method. From warm blankets and hot soup to humidifiers and steaming showers or even a good sweaty workout the goal for most is to “sweat it out.” This may be the coziest way to deal with being sick but research has shown that it may not be so effective. We may get some relief like endorphin release when we work out. This may perk us up on a cruddy day. Even steam from soups or showers clearing our nasal congestion could help. But while we are fighting the virus that causes the common cold our immune system is still at battle. Our mucous membranes are still producing a lot of mucous and we will be congested again usually within the hour. Studies show that people who sweat it out and keep higher temperatures do not get over colds any faster. The body can naturally keep temperature and sweat when needed. The drying of sweat will cool the body and give a sense of relief. This does not decrease the time to recovery.
Some people who sweat it out also skip fever medicine. Some medicines include Tylenol and Motrin. Can we skip these medicines or do we need them? Some studies say that fever is natural during illness. It is an important adaptation to help us get well. One study showed that 7 sick iguanas preferred to lay under heat lamps. The only iguana that died was one who did not use the heat lamp. The human body is shown to fight cold better at temperatures above normal. The immune system can move faster activate more cells to fight. This is why we may want to skip the fever medicine.
Sometimes allowing a natural fever is not the safest option. A low fever can be helpful but uncomfortable. If the body get up to 103 or higher there are serious health risks. This may happen with more serious or dangerous infections. These types of fevers can cause major organ damage from to the liver and kidneys. The brain and heart can also be affected permanently. These could all result in death. Of course, the patient should take medicine at a time like this. It will bring the fever down to a safe range. However, these are not the common illnesses most people face from day to day. Further studies show that using medicine in the more common sicknesses does not speed up the time people are sick. It simply makes them feel better during the cold.
In conclusion, natural fevers seem to help the immune system fight. There is no need to make yourself warmer on purpose or sweat it out. Working out or resting could make you more comfortable or upbeat. You may also be less congested. Those are the most important benefits you will get. Fever medication can help with comfort also. The takeaway is that none of these methods will shorten the time of an average cold. Your body is already hard at work handling the problem and you can just trust the amazing process.
