#17: Should You Rest Or Stay Active When You Feel Sick?

It used to be when you got sick, you were advised to "take it easy".  But, does the evidence support this approach?  And, it isn't just an academic question since, on average, we get 2-4 colds/year and many of us will have an episode of low back pain.  And, how about COVID?  Rest or stay active?

1. Low back pain: a key randomized clinical trial showed that prolonged bed rest did not do better than usual activities.  Now we advise patients to continue activities.

2. Moderate exercise does not lessen (or worsen) cold symptoms.  But, exercise may reduce the number of colds you get.

3. Sauna use doesn't make the cold go away faster but may reduce the number of infections that you experience.

4. COVID-it appears that exercise may reduce the likelihood of fatigue, anxiety, brain fog if you do get long COVID.

5. Multiple Sclerosis-previously it was feared that exercise might worsen the disease.  Recent guidance is to be physically active.

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