Panza

Hi guys, ive been doing a lot more biking lately on my hybrid bike. I joined my local bicycle club and have been trying to keep up with the road bike guys. After my hard rides I noticed that when i get home Ill be coughing a lot and my throat feels kind of mucousy. Im not sick or anything either. Am I working to hard? Should I ease up on the rides? If I keep at it will it go away? Should I do something to stop it before hand or is it a diet thing?

Edit: Been doing 100 miles or so a week on the bikes since then and most of my symptoms have been reduced. I'm not wheezing anymore or having a hard time breathing. There's a small amount of mucous in my throat and slight coughing, but nothing that really makes me feel concerned as it did before. I think my body has gotten used to the hard work. : )! I'm also not sore for days on end after 30+ mile rides which is a nice bonus.

Weatherby

See your Doc, he will diagnose something and put you on the medicine du jour.

I have always barked up chunks of lung until I got into decent shape. No meds yet. Diet is irrelevent for me. Usually really intense climbs where I struggle to hang will trigger coughing when I get home. Inverval sessions at the ice rink would also cause it but once fit, the problem for me goes away

YMMV

Carbonfiberboy 

Me too, always. I think it's known as "pursuiter's cough." Comes from breathing hard and fast for a long time. Pretty common. OTOH, if you're wheezing during or after or feel like you can't get enough air, you may have exercise induced asthma (EIA), which can also cause coughing and phlegm. If that's the case, a doctor can prescribe an inhaler for symptomatic relief.

Panza

Ahh I see, so the phlegm is normal, its not bad enough to stop me from getting enough air or anything. If I keep biking hard and often will my body get used to it and stop making as much or is it genetic.

achoo

There's only one way to find out.

RPK79

Time travel and ask your future self!

Dave Cutter

Do you smoke now.... or have you recently?

spdntrxi

it is allergy season as well... you can have build up in the throat area and not much elsewhere. This is the case with myself currently.

Panza

Lot of good answers here that i didnt think about, if it doesnt stop ill check w my doctor. But ill tough it out first!

Thanks for the help!

UtahRider

I'm 59 now, and for the last many years have gotten the phelgm thing after long hikes, or more strenous outings, it's normal it goes away in a few hours.

Weatherby

Same story here.

I just bark it up and pretty soon (hours), it is done with.

I wonder if these breathing devices might help....I have considered buying one like these.

https://www.powerlung.com/region/us/...ation/studies/

Breathing Exercise Device Archives | Expand-a-LungExpand-a-Lung

JerrySTL

Google 'exercise induced asthma" and see if the symptoms match any. It may be something to mention to your doctor.

UtahRider

Yeah, once it comes out it's over.

nkfrench 

After a hard ride, I will cough non-stop for several minutes; then when I lie down at bedtime hours later I will cough some more.
Breathing hard and fast is irritating on the lining of your respiratory system and it can cause swelling and extra mucous production.
The increased blood flow also contributes to congestion. My ears and nose also get stuffy.

My doc said if I felt unable to get air then he could prescribe something; otherwise just deal with it. Borderline exercise-induced bronchospasm.
I am a mouth breather (deviated septum) and I believe that aggravates these tendencies.

davemar

I had this. I was diagnosed with cough variant asthma caused by exercise. I take a couple of puffs of Salbutamol before and after a ride and it is a massive help. See your doctor.

Machka 

Get it checked ... could be EIA (Exercise Induced Asthma). If so, your Dr will have advice for you.