FitSugar

5 Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:50:35 -0800

We don't always feel 100 percent all the time, and it's normal to feel a little nauseous, tired, or sniffly every once in a while. These are minor symptoms though, and usually go away on their own. But there are a few red flag signals our bodies flash to warn us of serious medical conditions, and they're symptoms you shouldn't pass off as nothing. WebMD spoke to the authors of Your Body's Red Light Warning Signals, and here are some symptoms that require a doctor's visit or emergency care.

Difficulty breathing. Tightness in the chest, wheezing, shallow breathing, or constantly coughing are all symptoms of asthma. If a person has these symptoms or full-on asthma attacks, and they're left untreated, the muscles used for breathing can get tired. That means the amount of oxygen getting into the lungs will decrease, while the levels of carbon dioxide increase. This has a drowsing effect on the brain, and the person may stop breathing, which could result in death.
Blood in your urine. When you go to the bathroom, you shouldn't see blood, and if you do, it could be a sign of kidney stones, bladder infections, or cancer of the kidney, urethra, or bladder. Even if you don't feel pain, call your doctor.

To see the other red flags keep reading

When Is It OK to Work Out Sick?

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:30:12 -0700

'Tis the season for coughs and sniffles. If you're like me, the idea of having to skip a workout because of a small cough seems crazy. When is the best time to choose rest over a treadmill though? Take my quiz to find out . . .

Take the quiz

CaringBridge: Social Networking For Sick Loved Ones

FitSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:30:00 -0700

If you've ever had a family member in the hospital, you know that keeping everyone informed about the patient's progress can be as exhausting as the nights spent in the waiting room. We rely on everything from phone trees to mass emails to get updates or find out where to send flowers, but I just discovered a website called CaringBridge that makes this very difficult task easier.

Sort of like Facebook for tough times, the free service lets you easily create a website to share updates on a loved one's illness, surgery, hospital stay, and progress. When a friend of mine was recently hospitalized, her family set up a page on CaringBridge, and I've been really impressed by how extensive it is. To find out how it works, read more.

CaringBridge lets you post explanations about a patient's illness, plus photos and updates on test results or overall mood. Friends and family can sign up for email notifications when new info is posted and leave their thoughts and messages on the guestbook page. The site even lets you make a donation along with a tribute to the patient in question. It seems like a great solution in what can be a very challenging time. Have you ever used one of these sites? Tell me what you thought.

Call in Sick to Work When . . .

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:30:00 -0800

When I feel a cold coming on, I want nothing more than to complain about my discomfort and lie on the couch watching romantic comedies. Let's face it though, we can't always call in sick for a little case of the sniffles. We also don't want to downplay our symptoms and go to work when a contagious virus is pulsing through our bodies. So call in sick:

When you are noticing beginning combinations of symptoms such as a sore throat, nasal congestion, or a bad headache. Since you are most contagious at the beginning of your illness, your co-workers will appreciate you keeping your germs at home.
When you have a full-on cold and you work closely with other people, children, or the elderly. You don't want to risk infecting them.
When you have a fever, stay home. Your body temperature rises to help kill off germs, so rest at home to let your body do its job.
When you have a productive cough, chest congestion, stuffed up sinuses, green mucus, a scratchy sore throat, achiness, nausea, or are throwing up, definitely call in sick.

When should you go to work? To find out read more.

Go to work:

When your only symptom is a slight runny nose.
When your only symptom is a dry cough. If it lasts more than a few days, you might want to see your doctor.
You're feeling better after being sick, and symptoms are just about gone. Once you go to work, be sure to wash your hands often, and avoid touching things other people regularly come in contact with.

If you're not sure what to do, your best bet is to stay home. Don't worry about not being able to get your work done, because you won't be very productive if you're feeling under the weather. Plus staying home not only shows respect for your co-workers' health, but properly resting when you're sick can also shorten the duration of your illness. If it turns out to be nothing, you can always go into work the next day.

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Speak Up: How Have You Been Affected by Breast Cancer?

FitSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:31:00 -0700

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming to a close, but I know for many of you, you don't stop thinking about breast cancer when the month of October draws to an end. It's disheartening that breast cancer is so prevalent, and I'm sure every one of you knows someone who's been diagnosed, has recovered, or lost the battle against this horrible disease. Many of you have stories to share, and by letting others know it increases awareness about breast cancer and connects us in some way. For me, knowing that I'm not the only one with close friends affected by this disease makes it a little more bearable. So tell me, how have you been touched by breast cancer?

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When Is a Fever Too High?

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:30:00 -0800

With the nasty flu bug making its rounds, there's only so much eating healthy, getting enough rest, washing your hands, getting a flu shot, and avoiding germs one can do. If you're unlucky enough to get the flu, your body will hike up your body temperature to boil away all those germs. So, is there a point when your temperature can get too high?

When you get the flu, a sudden high fever is totally normal, and it can get as high as 104° F, and last for three to four days. The best thing you can do is to rest and drink plenty of fluids, since a fever can cause you to become dehydrated. Don't attempt to cool off your skin with cold packs since they'll just make you shiver, which will end up raising your body temperature. Instead you should alternate between taking Tylenol and ibuprofen every four hours to help reduce your fever. Alternating these meds will help to prevent accidental overdose, and sometimes the combination of the two will be more effective in bringing down your fever.

Fit's Tips: If your fever persists for more than five days, or it goes over 104° F, call your doctor and get some medical advice immediately.

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What's the Deal With: Being Ill and Working Out

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:15:00 -0800

Since cold and flu season started a lot of folks have asked me if they should work out if they're sick. Well, a good rule of thumb when figuring out the answer is the neck check. Exercise is generally considered okay if your symptoms are all above the neck - sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, congestion. Light cardio might actually help reduce these symptoms and give your immune system a little boost.

But if your symptoms are below the neck like fever, chest cough (with lots of phlegm) or nausea you should probably choose your couch over kick boxing. Exercising can make those symptoms worse.

So check in with your self and listen to what your body says. If you are just tired or in the throes of PMS a work out could really do you some good.

The Down Side to Swimming: Recreational Water Illness

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I love to swim, be it in lakes, pools, rivers or oceans. Unfortunately I just read an article on recreational water illness that made my skin crawl. Yes, there are things for fear that live in water that are decidedly smaller than great white sharks.

We all know that infection-producing germs lurk in our swimming water and can cause swimmers ear and swimmers itch, the problem is that infections are on the rise and according to the CDC the rate has more than doubled in the last 10 years. Just to add to my paranoia, Alan Greene, MD, says “No one who swims is safe from RWIs…You can catch respiratory illnesses and colds but by far, skin rashes, swimmer's ear, and gastrointestinal bugs are the most common.” Great. That last one sounds particularly gruesome to me.

Swimmers ear, is by far the most common problem with about 6.2 million cases occurring each year. Excessive water in the ear canal breaks down protective barriers in the ear and allows that lurking bacteria to get into and infect the ear. Symptoms include one to two days of progressive ear pain that is worsened by chewing or pulling the ear. Itching, pus and discharge often follow - eewww!

If you want to learn more about RWI, you should read more

The other common RWI is swimmers itch, known as cercarial dermatitis in medical jargon. Symptoms include tingling, burning or itching of the skin, small reddish pimples and or blisters that can appear from minutes to days after swimming in contaminated water. Both saltwater and freshwater are homes to the parasite larvae that causes these rashes, but they are most often found in unhygienic hot tubs or spas.

The best tips for avoiding these problems are:

Make sure pools are properly disinfected.
To prevent gastrointestinal distress - DO NOT SWALLOW any water.
For swimmers ear, dry ears thoroughly by tilting your head to the side and tugging the ear lobe to let the water out after swimming.
For skin rashes, showering before and after taking a dip in lakes, ponds, and oceans can help prevent them.

Hopefully this post isn't too much of a buzz kill, just take care of yourself out there and remember never swim alone - for safety reasons, but if you get sick at least you will have someone to compare symptoms with.

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Favorite Excuse for Not Working Out: I'll Hurt Myself

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:15:00 -0800

You want to start exercising harder, but you're worried about getting hurt, and being out of commission is not something you're willing to do. If you're excuse for not adding some exercise into your life is, "I'll hurt myself," then take a look at these great tips from the Mayo Clinic.

Take it slow. Start with a simple walking program. As you become more confident in your abilities, add new activities to your routine.
Try an exercise class for beginners. You'll learn the basics by starting from scratch.
Consider working one-on-one with a personal trainer. Get a customized fitness tutorial from a certified expert, who can monitor your movements and point you in the right direction.

Fit's Tip: If you're worried about reinjuring a recently healed injury, be sure to talk to your doctor and/or physical therapist to learn which exercise you should stay away from. Chances are there are still many exercises you can do that will not risk injury.

If this is not your excuse for not working out, then check out all my favorite excuses to see where you fit in.

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Which is the Most Serious Heat Illness?

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:30:00 -0700

With temperatures rising as summer hits its peak, exercise can lead to several heat related illnesses (hyperthermia), but when should you call for help?