With all the runners love to talk about their long runs and beautiful routes and recent events, the doctor about their exploits, they usually keep quiet. Not everyone is willing to admit its not a very forgiving hobby.
“Many people are afraid to tell the doctor about injuries or any ailments related to running, for fear that the doctor not forbid them to engage in this sport, explains family doctor and specialist in medical physical culture Delmas Bolin of Virginia. — So they resort to suppression of information.”
But running affects your body and health. To deliver the most accurate diagnosis, to choose the most effective treatment and help you to run and continue — your doctor should know that you are a runner. And here’s why:
Your heart works differently
Athletes may experience a “syndrome of the heart of an athlete” in which years of training lead to enlargement of the heart, allowing it to beat less often and with every stroke to pass more blood. However, an enlarged heart and slow heartbeat can be mistaken for disease or dangerous violation. “The heart symptoms, the athlete themselves are not dangerous and developed with years of training, but they resemble the symptoms of, for example, cardiomyopathies,” explains cardiologist Todd Miller. Due to similar behavior, the heart athlete’s heart and pathology to distinguish would be problematic, unless your doctor knows that you have run.
However, symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitation of the heart, which differ significantly from the norm, require special attention if you are doing intense workouts.
Some medications can impair your performance.
Runners who seek medical help in connection with high blood pressure should tell their doctors about their sports, because some drugs can reduce their speed. Beta-blockers weaken the heart release, which should be raised during the run. “With the exception of critical cases, beta-blockers should not be administered runners, especially in high doses”, says cardiologist Carl Lavie. For runners living in warmer climatic zones, diuretics, appointed against high blood pressure, should be avoided because they increase the risk of dehydration.
Others – contribute to the risk of injury
Last may, the Office for control over products and medicines of the USA expressed concern with the use of ftorhinolonov, a class of antibiotics that can cause tendon injuries and Achilles tendon rupture. These drugs are prescribed for infections of the kidneys, respiratory system, urinary tract and sinuses, weakening of the tendon to such an extent that the runner increases the risk of rupture and considerably prolong the recovery period. Patients involved in Jogging, should discuss with your doctor alternative treatment measures.
A couple of pound weight gain should alert
Since many runners are in the taut form, doctors often turn a blind eye to a small weight gain. But if the weight is gained in the stability of the workouts, this is to inform the doctor. Unexplained increase in the balance can be a red flag indicating violations, such as sleep apnea or hypothyroidism. In addition, the increase in body weight means increased stress on the joints while running, and hence an increased risk of injury. If neither your diet nor medication was not changes, weight gain should be discussed with your doctor.
Your skin may need extra protection
The doctor may also recommend additional runner means leaving behind the skin. Running outdoors can mean increased risk of skin cancer. Dr. Bolin reminds runners about the necessity of sunscreen – even in winter.
Runners with diabetes need to pay special attention to the skin on the feet. Some diabetics develop neuropathy in which they do not feel blisters or caught in sneakers stones. For these patients, Dr. Bolin advises to check his feet after every run: “make Sure you have no callouses because they can go to something more dangerous in connection with diabetes.”
Borderline levels of iron can interfere with your run
Unexplained fatigue may be associated with malfunction of the thyroid gland, viral infection or iron deficiency. Although the first and second can be detected at a regular checkup with iron, things are more difficult. Fatigue may occur already at the lower limit of the normal level of iron, which some physicians may find the norm in the absence of anemia.
If you still don’t have the heart to tell your doctor about running, fearing that you will forbid them to do, perhaps you should find a specialist in sports medicine. This doctor will try to find a treatment or changes in lifestyle to maintain the ability to practice your favorite sport.
Image credit: tpsdave