FitSugar

You Asked: My Nose Runs When I Do Cardio

FitSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Dear Fit,
Whenever I do any type of cardio, whether it be running, biking, or indoor tennis, my nose runs like a faucet. I always work out with some tissues stuffed in my sports bra strap! I don't have seasonal allergies. My nose just runs when I get my heart pumping. Why does this happen and is there anything I can do to prevent it?
-Runny Nosed Runner

How annoying for you! To hear what's causing your runny nose and what you can do about it, read more.

This is a pretty common condition called exercise-induced rhinitis. I know it sounds strange, but for some people, working out can trigger allergic reaction symptoms such as congestion, sinus pain, runny nose, headaches, itchy eyes, asthma, hives or other rashes, and in rare cases, even anaphylaxis. Exercise itself can be the sole trigger (especially vigorous exercise), but sometimes it's the combination of exercise plus another trigger such as pollen or cold weather that produces symptoms.

If the symptoms really bother you, it may help to see your doctor to get a prescription nasal spray. You'll have to take it for a week or so to start seeing results, and you'll have to keep taking it to keep your nose from running and ruining your workout. Or it may help to take an over-the-counter allergy medication such as Claritin or Zyrtec about an hour before exercising. If you'd rather not take medication, you'll just have to continue to keep tissues stashed in your sports bra.

Source

Does Your Nose Run When You Exercise?

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

If you find that your nose runs when you exercise, you're not alone. The condition is called exercise-induced rhinitis, and it's actually pretty common among athletes. I know it sounds strange, but for some people, working out can trigger congestion, sinus pain, runny nose, headaches, itchy eyes, asthma, hives, and in rare cases, even anaphylaxis. Exercise itself can be the sole trigger, but sometimes it's the combination of exercise plus another trigger such as pollen or cold weather that produces symptoms.

Does this sound familiar? Tell me . . .

Source

Who is Sick in Your Neighborhood?

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I don't know if it's my hidden hypochondriac's tendencies or what, but sometimes I get totally freaked out when the person next to me sneezes. Is it just a cold? Is it worse? I saw the movie Outbreak and it sure wasn't pretty...

Sure, this may be an issue I need to work out on my own time, but if you're like me and wondering what sort of bug is going around your neighborhood, I have the perfect site for you.

WhoIsSick.org is a site where you can go and either enter your information if you've been feeling a bit under the weather. Or you can search to see what kind of sicknesses others have been reporting in your neighborhood. This site is to be taken lightly, but interesting nonetheless. I knew I needed to stop searching zip codes when I read someone 20 miles from me posted: "I started bleeding from all parts of my body today." Like I said, take it with a grain of salt but check it out at WhoIsSick.org.

Mediterranean Diet and Allergies: Go Nuts

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:30:20 -0700

Are your allergies going nuts right now? Well the answer might be to eat more nuts. New findings seem to indicate that eating a Mediterranean style diet can reduce respiratory allergy symptoms like wheezing, runny nose and sneezing.

Britain's Royal Brompton Hospital and National Heart and Lung Institute conducted research on 690 children between ages 7-18 on the island of Crete. The children that ate at least 2 servings of fruit a day as well as nuts were less likely to suffer from childhood respiratory allergies and asthma compared to those children that ate the most margarine.

The local produce on Crete is mainly grapes, apples, oranges and tomatoes and these were the fresh foods the children were predominantly eating. Researchers also noticed a relationship between nuts and and a reduction of these symptoms.

"A high consumption of nuts was found to be inversely associated with wheezing, whereas margarine increased the risk of both wheeze and allergic rhinitis (sneezing and runny nose)."

While only children participated in the study I am optimistic that this diet will help adults too. I sure do hope someone will be conducting a study on this soon.

If you are as intrigued by the Mediterranean style diet as I am, you should check out the food recommendations and food pyramid to learn more about it.

Source

Antihistamines or Decongestants: Which Does What?

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

So it's officially Spring (yippee!!) and the snow is melting away. The trees and grass and flowers will begin to grow and bud, and for people with seasonal allergies, this time of year can be a nightmare.

When someone has seasonal allergies, his or her immune system sees pollen as an invader. As a defense mechanism, their body produces histamine, an inflammatory chemical that attaches to the cells in their body and irritates them. The histamines are what cause the sneezing, runny nose, watery and itchy eyes.

When you take an antihistamine (like Benadryl or Claritin), it prevents the histamine from attaching to those cells, and therefore prevents allergy symptoms. Antihistamines can also relieve itchiness caused by insect bites, stings, poison ivy, and poison oak.

This is great, but most Antihistamines have the awful side effect of making you feel really drowsy and out of it. Your head just feels really foggy, like when you have a cold.

Want to know what a decongestant does? Then read more

Sometimes a person who has allergies can experience different symptoms. They may get an extremely stuffy nose and congested sinuses. This can affect a person's sense of smell and taste. Also, if the sinuses remained plugged, a person could develop a sinus infection, which can cause severe facial pain and headaches.

People with these symptoms might want to take a decongestant (like Sudafed or Allegra D - the "D" stands for decongestant). Decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels in the lining of your nose. This reduces how much blood flows through the area so that swollen tissue inside the nose shrinks, and air can pass through more easily.

Decongestants work well to de-clog your nose and face, but they make your mouth and throat uncomfortably dry.

Allergies are different for everyone, and different over-the-counter medications may work better than others. You may want to try them all. Some medications combine both antihistamines and decongestants, which could prevent your symptoms, better than they could alone.

Fit's Tips: If you know what you're allergic to, you can work on avoiding that trigger. If you have allergy symptoms, but don't know what specific allergens are affecting you, make an appointment with an Allergist. You can also see one if you've been taking over-the-counter meds and your symptoms are still bothering you.

Chlorpheniramine/pseudoephedrine (By mouth)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:10:17 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Chlorpheniramine (klor-fen-IR-a-meen), Pseudoephedrine (soo-doe-e-FED-rin)

Treats sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, watery eyes, and other symptoms of hay fever, common cold, or other allergies.

Brand Name(s)

Sudal-12, QDALL, Allerest Maximum Strength, Chlor-Pheniton, Suphedrine Cold & Allergy, SudoGest Cold & Allergy, Genaphed Plus, Chlor-Trimeton Allergy Decongestant, Triaminic Softchew Allergy Runny Nose & Congestion, Triaminic Softchews Allergy Runny Nose & Congestion, PSE CPM, Deconamine SR, Pseudocot-C, Zinx Allergy, Colfed-A

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to chlorpheniramine, or pseudoephedrine. You should not use this medicine if you are using MAO inhibitors such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the last 14 days. Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 2 years old. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects.

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet, Capsule, Chewable Tablet, Long Acting Capsule, 24 Hour Capsule, Long Acting Tablet, Liquid

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, problems with urination due to enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have breathing problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. Tell your doctor if you have prolonged cough caused by smoking, or due to breathing problems.
This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Do not give this medicine to a child under 6 years old unless your doctor says it is okay.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Drowsiness or nervousness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Fussiness in your child.
Trouble sleeping.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_5348

Antihistamine/antitussive (By mouth)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:50:18 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Treats runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and cough caused by the common cold or flu.

Brand Name(s)

Tannate 12 S, Tannic-12, Respi-TANN, Tussizone-12 RF, Coricidin Cough & Cold Maximum Strength, Tricodene, Promethazine DM, DM/Promethazine Hydrochloride, Good Sense Children's Triacting Cough & RunnyNose, Good Sense Night Time Cough, Notuss-AC, Children's Dimetapp Long Acting Cough Plus Cold, Robitussin Pediatric Cough & Cold Long Acting, Scot-Tussin DM, Robitussin Cough & Cold Long Acting

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any cough and cold medicine or to any antihistamine or antitussive. You should not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitors such as Nardil®, Marplan®, Eldepryl®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days. Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 2 years old. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects.

How to Use This Medicine

Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use any other medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, seizure disorder, asthma, emphysema, or an overactive thyroid.
This medicine might contain phenylalanine (aspartame). This is only a concern if you have a disorder called phenylketonuria (a problem with amino acids). Talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
This medicine may make you drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Some liquid cough medicines contain alcohol.
Call your doctor if your symptoms get worse after 2 or 3 days of treatment, or if they do not improve after 7 days. Also call if you develop a severe sore throat or fever; or cough up thick yellow mucus.
Children may be more sensitive to this medicine than adults, especially if they take too much medicine. Always read medicine labels carefully and give your child the right amount. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure how much medicine to use.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
Trouble breathing
Extreme weakness
Skin rash, hives, or itching

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Drowsiness or dizziness
Dry mouth, nose, or throat
Sunburn (use a sunscreen)
Trouble urinating
Confusion
Thickened mucus

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_0381

Analgesic/antihistamine/antitussive (By mouth)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:12:39 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Treats minor sore throat, cough, body aches, runny nose, and fever.

Brand Name(s)

Diabetic Tussin, Diabetic Tussin Night Time Formula, Good Sense Night Time Cold & Flu Relief, Nite-Time Cold/Flu Relief, All-Nite, Rite Aid Nite Time Cold/Flu Formula, Quality Choice NightTime Cold Medicine, Good Sense Good Sense Night Time Cold & Flu Relief, Tylenol Cough & Sore Throat, Diabetic Tussin Cold & Flu, Rite Aid Flu, Rite Aid Children's Plus, Children's Tylenol Plus Cough & Runny Nose, Quality Choice Cough & Sore Throat, Good Sense Cough & Sore Throat

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to any type of cold medicine. Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days. Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 2 years old. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects.

How to Use This Medicine

Capsule, Liquid, Tablet, Liquid Filled Capsule

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to. It is not safe to take more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) of acetaminophen in one day (24 hours).
If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
Do not take more than 4 doses of this medicine (8 tablespoons) in one day.
Measure this medicine with the medicine cup provided in the package, or with a marked measuring spoon or oral syringe.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Acetaminophen can damage your liver and drinking alcohol can increase this risk. If you regularly drink 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, do not take acetaminophen without asking your doctor.
Do not also use other medicines that contain acetaminophen, or you may be getting more than a safe amount of this medicine. Many combination medicines contain acetaminophen, including products with brand names such as Alka-Seltzer Plus®, Comtrex®, Drixoral®, Excedrin Migraine®, Midol®, Sinutab®, Sudafed®, Theraflu®, and Vanquish®. Carefully check the labels of all other medicines you are using to be sure they do not also contain acetaminophen.
Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you smoke or have asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, or a chronic cough.
Do not give this medicine to a child under 12 years old unless your doctor tells you to.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
Fever that lasts longer than 3 days.
Lightheadedness, fainting, weakness, sweating.
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
Ongoing cough with headache and skin rash.
Redness, swelling, or any new symptoms.
Unusual bleeding or bruising.
Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_5526

Got Seasonal Allergies? Exercise Indoors

FitSugar — Thu, 10 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Allergies are a drag - no argument there. I don't like taking decongestants because they make me fuzzy headed. They also dry out my mouth and make my throat feel pasty dry. Plus decongestants don't just dry out your sinuses, they can affect your lady business too.

I do love using my Rhino Horn neti pot to flush dust and pollen out of my nose - it gets to the root of my symptoms. If I'm too stuffed up to use a neti pot, I've got to do something to get the congestion moving.

I told you that heat-building cardio exercise is great - when your body gets hot, you sweat, and the mucus and fluid gets thinner and it's easier to blow out or cough up. I forgot to tell you a very important thing though.

If you have seasonal allergies, and you're bothered by certain pollen or grasses, exercising outdoors can make you feel worse. That makes sense, right? Doing cardio makes you huff and puff, inhaling more of those allergens. Your body fights back by releasing more histamine, which causes itchier, watery eyes, runny and stuffy noses, and sneezing.

Fit's Tips: If you can figure out exactly what you're allergic to, you can determine what time of year to avoid it. During that time, you can work out on machines at the gym, try out a DVDs, or swim indoors.

Source

Runny and stuffy nose

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:31:12 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

A runny or stuffy nose can be due to colds, allergies, sinus infections or the flu. When there is an excess of mucus secretions the nose is runny. The additional secretions drain from the front of the nose, or down the back (post-nasal drip). The sensation of a stuffy nose occurs when the membranes that line the nose become swollen from inflamed blood vessels.

Review Date: 1/30/2008

Reviewed By: James L. Demetroulakos, M.D., F.A.C.S., Department of Otolaryngology, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA. Clinical Instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_19674