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DrSugar Answers: Menstrual Fatigue and Exercise?

DrSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0800

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Hi DrSugar,
Last year I was busy training for my first triathlon, a half marathon, and cycling a lot for fun. Toward the end of my training, I would become extremely fatigued and often just pass out after work randomly a few days here and there. I had plenty of rest days, ate well balanced meals, and took vitamin supplements. I was tested for anemia but my blood iron levels were fine.

I'm in my off season and not training nearly as hard, but the fatigue is back. I was wondering, might this fatigue have something to do with my period? I am in between cycles, ovulating I suspect, but would that cause this type of fatigue?
— Why So Tired

To see what the doc has to say on this matter,

DrSugar On: Seasonal Affective Disorder

DrSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:00:00 -0800

DrSugar has received more than a few questions regarding the Winter blues. If you feel like hibernating these days, read what he has to say about this seasonal problem.

December 22nd marked the first official day of Winter. As the days have grown shorter and shorter and the weather increasingly nasty, you may have noticed some subtle changes in your mood or increased fatigue and sleepiness. If this sounds familiar, you may suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seasonal affective disorder affects millions of people every year, especially those living in the northern states where Winter can be cold, dark and seemingly endless. Common symptoms include depression, over-sleeping, weight gain, and decreased energy.

Experts believe that seasonal affective disorder is related to disruption of normal sleep-wake cycles, called circadian rhythms, and an imbalance of brain chemicals melatonin and serotonin. The best treatment is bright light therapy, which basically involves setting up a bright light source in your home. The theory is that this treatment can adjust your body’s circadian rhythm and possibly increase melatonin and serotonin levels. Occasionally SAD is so severe that light therapy alone is not enough. Symptoms of depression, especially if lasting more than two weeks, may require evaluation by a doctor or psychiatrist. For more information on seasonal affective disorder check out our health guide. Also, vote on our seasonal affective disorder poll and let us know if you are suffering and SAD.

If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

DrSugar Answers: Belching After Every Meal?

DrSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:30:00 -0800

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
It seems like everything that I eat causes gas. I exercise regularly and I try to eat healthy as much as possible. I don't know if I should be eliminating some things from my diet to alleviate the gas. My gas is in the form of belching though. I rarely have gas that is expelled from my bowel area. Can you me help? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
— Sick of Saying "Excuse Me"

To see what DrSugar suggests to help this problem,

DrSugar Answers: Could Soy Cause Acne Outbreaks?

DrSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:24:16 -0800

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

I am struggling with acne and have been for a while; topical options just don't seem to cut it, and I'm not sure how I feel about antibiotics. Anyway, I eat a lot of soy products and recently have noticed that my acne gets worse during periods when I eat more of them. I've been doing my own research, but the opinions on the web are conflicting. Is there a link between soy and acne?
—Suspicious of Soy

No one likes to deal with blemishes. If you're curious what the doctor has to say about this matter,

DrSugar Answers: Postworkout Weakness?

DrSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:30:00 -0800

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Dear DrSugar,
Sometimes after a rigorous cardio workout (one hour, doing intervals for the first half hour and steady pace for the second half), I come home and start feeling queasy and weak, then need to lie down. Sometimes I feel this way for an hour or more postworkout, well after I've showered and eaten. There have been a few times when I've lost my stomach as well. But it usually goes away after an hour or so of resting/lying down. What's going on? I try to be well hydrated and have a little snack a bit before working out, but sometimes, it doesn't seem to help.
— Workout Weary Wendy

If you're curious to see how DrSugar answers this question, just

DrSugar Answers: Flying With a Cold?

DrSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear Dr. Sugar,
I’m traveling home to the East Coast for Thanksgiving, but I have a horrible cold and my sinuses are really stuffed up. I've heard that it can be dangerous to fly with a head cold, especially for the ears. Is that right — is it dangerous? Is there anything I can do to make the situation safer for my ears?
— Stuffed Up and Homesick

Since this holiday is the major travel week as well as the beginning of full blown cold season you might be interested to see what DrSugar has to say, so

DrSugar on Working Out With a Cold

DrSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:30:00 -0800

DrSugar knows this is a season of stuffy noses, and that cold and flu season brings with it concerns about exercising when we don't quite feel 100 percent. He has a few things to say on the matter, which should help you decide if you should skip the gym and head to the couch or if the treadmill is the remedy you need. Here's what he has to say:

As Winter creeps in and cold and flu season begins, it is tempting to stay indoors and put away those running shoes for a few months. However, studies show that maintaining a moderate exercise routine can actually boost the immune system and prevent infections. The best way to prevent colds this Winter is to eat a nutritious and well-rounded diet, exercise, avoid stress, get plenty of sleep, and wash your hands regularly. While mild to moderate exercise routines boost the immune system, it is also known that extreme regimens can cause stress by elevating cortisol levels and actually weaken the immune system. This explains why it is common to come down with a cold following a big athletic event, such as that once-a-year marathon or triathlon.

To see how exercise can affect you once you're beginning to feel under the weather, please

DrSugar Answers: Sinus Infection Prevention?

DrSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800

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Dear DrSugar,
My husband gets a sinus infection every year. This year it came early and he took antibiotics after fighting it for two weeks to no avail. Well, it seems to be back in a low grade way and it is making him snore, which keeps me up at night! What can he do to boost his immune system to win the battle going on in his sinuses?
—Sleepless Wife of a Snorer

How quickly cold and flu season has returned to all our lives. If you or one of your loved ones fights sinusitis all Winter long, you can see DrSugar's suggestions for fighting the good fight when you

DrSugar Answers: HPV Positive With a Negative Pap?

DrSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 02:30:00 -0800

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Dear DrSugar,
I am 38 years old and just had a Pap test. My Pap test was normal but my HPV test was positive. Is that common? How can I have a normal Pap and but still have HPV? My doc wants me to come in and have a repeat Pap test in six months, but what is this repeat Pap for? I am totally freaking out about having HPV. I was never tested for HPV prior to this; is that because they don’t usually test for HPV until after you're 30?
— Upset About HPV

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DrSugar Answers: Running With Tendinitis?

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:30:00 -0700

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Hi DrSugar,
I was hoping you could help me with some questions. I am an avid runner and was recently informed that I have tendinitis in both my Achilles tendon as well as in a tendon on the top of my foot (I don't remember which one). Basically, my MD told me there's nothing he can do to help them heal, but I could try wearing a walking cast that only "might" help. I really miss running so I'm in the process of trying to find another doc that will try to help me. Do you know of anything that can help, or can you just give me some info on Achilles tendinitis?
Thanks,
— Pain in the Heel

Injuries like this just stink! To see what the DocSugar has to say about this, just

DrSugar Answers: Daily Aspirin For Heart Disease? I'm Only 27

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

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Dear DrSugar,
I recently went to the doctor for a checkup. Because my family has a strong history of heart disease, the doctor ran some additional tests. The only test that came back abnormal revealed that I had high levels (4.9) of C-reactive protein. The doctor told me I should start taking aspirin daily to reduce my risk of heart attack. I'm only 27 years old and I have normal cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight. Isn't daily aspirin a little drastic? Should I be concerned about serious heart problems?
— Heartily Concerned

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DrSugar Answers: Breast Cancer Screenings?

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

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Hello Doc,
My mother is 50 years old and has never had a mammogram. She has lived in Florida for about 26 years now and has not had health insurance since my father passed away seven years ago. However, due to the economy and her low income, she can not afford health insurance and her employer does not offer it to their employees either. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I was hoping to find an affordable way for her to get screened?
Best Regards,
— Worried Daughter in Miami

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought we would answer a breast cancer-related question. To see more on the serious and important topic of screening for breast cancer

DrSugar Answers: Pelvic Stress Fracture and Sex?

DrSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:30:00 -0700

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Dear DrSugar,
I am getting married and going on my honeymoon in less than a month. Yay! I just got diagnosed with a stress fracture of the inferior pubic ramus, presumably from too much running. Boo! My doc told me to limit my exercise to swimming or the arm cycle machine at the gym for at least the next four weeks. My concern is, since it is that my pubic bone that has the stress fracture, will I be able to have sex with my fiancé/husband or will that hurt the bone too?
Broken Bride

To see what DrSugar has to say about this unfortunately placed fracture,

DrSugar Answers: High Heart Rate After Running?

DrSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:30:00 -0700

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Dear Doc,
I work out regularly, usually running, and I recently decided to monitor my heart rate. I am 22 years old and after a run my heart rate is in the 190s and sometimes over 200. I don't feel that I am overworking myself but that just seems too high. I was just wondering if this is normal or if there could be something wrong. I have a family history of hyperthyroid and wonder if this could be indicative of that.
Thanks,
Hearty Gal

Thanks for the question and I am sure you are not alone in this. To see what I have to say on the matter,

DrSugar Answers: How to Beat Fatigue?

DrSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:30:00 -0700

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Dear DrSugar,
I feel drained all the time. I'm only 19, and work three 13 hours shifts a week as a nursing aide. Are there any vitamins I could take to help boost my energy level naturally? Here are a few details that might help: I smoke cigarettes socially. I drink alcohol about once a month. I take allergy pills and birth control. I'm 5" 1' and weigh about 170. I don't exercise — yes I know this would help. But, I don't even have the energy to start! My doctor acts as though she doesn't hear me when I talk so I haven't even been there in a year. Thanks!
Tired Tina

Is your daily grind wearing you down too? To check out DrSugar's advice on combating fatigue, just

DrSugar Answers: Running and Menstrual Cramps?

DrSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I have been a regular runner for a few years now, logging in 15 to 20 miles per week. However, in the past few months an unpleasant thing has been happening: a day or two before my period when I'm about a mile into my run I vomit. The run starts out fine, but as I near the end of that first mile I start cramping up (I normally don't get much cramping at all) so I drop to a walk. The cramping worsens and I get a little light-headed, causing me to find a spot to squat/sit and eventually throw up. I rest a little until the cramps and light-headedness lessen and then immediately head home. Is it simply the pain that does this? On the rare occasion that I have cramping when I'm not running it doesn't make me nauseous and nausea doesn't strike any other time when I run. I thought exercising was supposed to lessen cramps?
Thanks,
Curiously Cramping

Curious to see what the doctor has to say on this subject, then

DrSugar Answers: Probiotics?

DrSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Hey DrSugar,
Lately I've started seeing various dairy products boast of their products' probiotic content, and they say that two weeks of eating their product daily will fix irregularity. What happens after those two weeks? Are you "cured," or do they expect you to continue consuming probiotics daily to stay regular? Is it possible for your GI system to become "dependent" on these probiotics?
— Pro Probiotic?

This is a great question, since probiotic foods and supplements seem to be everywhere. To see what DrSugar has to say on the subject just

DrSugar Answers: Excessive Gas?

DrSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear Doc Sugar,
I'm having a lot of trouble lately with gas. Yeah, it's really embarrassing, but no matter what I eat (high fiber, low fiber, healthy food, junk food) I start farting constantly. A month ago, I lost a lot of weight because I couldn't handle how bad my gas pains were.

I'm going to give you a few details that might help you, help me. The farts aren't like normal ones. They're high pressured, loud, and sound like I opened a valve to let air out. Sometimes they don't even smell; it's just air. Then I can feel my abdomen deflate. I don't want to go to the doctor yet (because I know they're going to ask for a stool sample, and I think that's so ick), so I was hoping you could help with an explanation and advice.
— One Gassy Gal

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Part 1 — DrSugar Answers: Losing Too Much Weight Running?

DrSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

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Dear DrSugar,
I have a problem that might seem a little odd, but I am not dieting and I am losing too much weight. I am training for a marathon, and exercise daily about 2 hours Monday through Friday (running outside mixed with swimming, spin class, body pump, and running on Treadmill). My Saturday workout is always a long run, and my Sunday workout is a short run. I know I am not pregnant, but my last period was 5 months ago. Is this due to too much exercise? Other than the missing period, I feel strong and fine. And I eat healthy meals every 2 to 3 hours. Is this something that I need to worry about?
Running Rita

This is an interesting multi-faceted question. DrSugar and I decided we should both tackle this one. To read what DrSugar has to say about this, just

DrSugar Answers: Sleep Apnea?

DrSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Hey DrSugar,
I am a very healthy person. I eat healthy, I am of normal weight, no health conditions and I exercise regularly; however, recently, I've been waking myself up with a snort — I guess like sleep apnea. Why is this happening and should I be concerned?
Sleepless Sugar

Does this happen to you too? To hear what DrSugar has to say,

DrSugar Answers: Cutting Too Many Calories Too Fast?

DrSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

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Dear DrSugar,
I am currently cutting back and trying to lose some weight (as always), but this time I am sticking with it even if i have a bad day, but I am not sure how many calories I should be eating. I was talking to a friend who said if I am always hungry I am not eating enough. I thought I was eating around 1500 calories a day, but after food journaling I realized I was closer to 2400 daily calories. So I cut back my food intake and have added low-fat string cheese, apple sauce cups, fresh carrots, and grape tomatoes to my diet, and am trying to cut out the 100-calorie packs of snacks and only do fruits and veggies. I never thought I would say this, but yes I am hungry, but I don't want to eat and I don't want to starve at the same time. Am I cutting too many calories too quickly?

To see what DrSugar has to say about all this, just

DrSugar Answers: Weather and Colds

DrSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:30:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I have a friend who lives in the warm suburb of Fairfield, CA, and commutes to foggier, colder San Francisco every day. She is wondering if the daily climate switch from hot and dry weather to the foggy cold is making her sick, or at least more vulnerable to cold and flu? I am curious too. Is it a myth?
– Friend of Sniffles

To see what DrSugar has to say about the connection between abrupt and drastic changes in the weather and the common cold,

DrSugar Answers: IBS Treatment With No Health Insurance?

DrSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:30:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I'm pretty positive I have Irritable Bowl Syndrome. Are there any things you can do to treat it without going to see a doctor? I don't have insurance and would like to avoid a costly office visit. Any advice you could give would be helpful.
Thanks,
– IBS Betty

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DrSugar on Chronic and Nagging Knee Pain

DrSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700

DrSugar is keyed up about the knee and the nagging pain in that joint that can frustrate your fitness drive. Here's what he has to say.

Let's begin with a brief anatomy lesson for the knee is a complicated structure with multiple moving parts and a variety of connective tissues holding everything together. For a dedicated athlete or even the average weekend warrior, the knee joint is a minefield of potential sites of injury. Commonly injured areas prone to inflammation include: the prepatellar bursa (in front of the knee cap), patellar tendon (holds the knee cap in place), anterior cruciate ligament (criss-crosses inside the knee), meniscus (lines the bottom of the knee joint), as well as the bones and muscles making up the knee joint.

Now that you know a little more about the structure of the knee, to see how it can break down

DrSugar Answers: Deadly Pools?

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

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DrSugar,
I have a friend who was banned from swimming as a child. She grew up with a pool in her backyard and developed a serious ear infection that landed her in the hospital. Her doctor told her that if she ever swam again she could die. Is this lifelong ban from swimming warranted? Is there such an ear infection that could kill you? I cannot imagine not swimming.
Missing Mermaid

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DrSugar Answers: Abdominal Bloating and Food

DrSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700

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Dear DrSugar,
I could use some health/dietary advice, if you have a minute. Lately I've been feeling incredibly bloated, and I know we all have a bloat-y day once in a while, but this is turning into a bloat-y fortnight. I'm starting to wonder what's going on. I'm a healthy 20-something, leading an active lifestyle, but obviously I'm doing something wrong, I suspect, food-wise. What foods should I avoid if you want to eliminate the "I just swallowed a balloon" feeling? Are there any foods known to cause bloating?
–Balloon Gal

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DrSugar Answers: Taking a Multi-Vitamin?

DrSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:30:00 -0700

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Hi DrSugar!
I'm 23 and if I am honest with myself about my diet, I don't think I am eating the recommended daily doses of vitamins and minerals. Could you provide some insight on the benefits and downsides of a daily multi-vitamin, or is it more beneficial to eat my vitamins in whole foods? Should a multi-vitamin include calcium and other women-focused nutrients, but I'd really appreciate your healthy opinion!
Thanks,
Needing a Vitamin

Taking a trip down the vitamin aisle at the drug store is overwhelming, and if you read the advertisements you might feel like you are missing out on all sorts of important vitamins and minerals. The truth is that true vitamin deficiency is very rare in the modern world, even for those with strict dietary restrictions. Most of us have the good fortune of access to a wide variety of foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy which provide all of the vital nutrients. Many of the foods we eat are also artificially fortified with nutrients. For example, table salt contains iodine, bread contains folate, milk commonly has vitamins A and D, and cereals often contain many different vitamins and minerals. There is some evidence that there is such a thing as “too much of a good thing” when it comes to certain vitamins. For example, too much vitamin A during pregnancy can be toxic to the growing fetus. In many cases it is also unclear how supra-normal doses of certain vitamins and minerals affect our bodies.

A well rounded diet is far and away the best method of obtaining the important vitamins and minerals that your body needs. The main exception to this concept is in regards to calcium and vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of osteoporosis. If your dietary intake of calcium is not around 1000mg it is important to supplement with calcium to promote bone growth and prevent osteoporosis. There are other studies that suggest fish oil can improve HDL cholesterol levels, which can possibly prevent heart disease. Multivitamins are also generally recommended for those with severe dietary restrictions, the elderly, or other illnesses that can affect the absorption of nutrients. Other than these few exceptions, dietary supplements can never replace the importance of a well rounded, balanced diet. NutritionData.com is a great resource that can be used to determine if your diet is providing the nutrients you need.

If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

DrSugar Answers: Sweating Out a Cold?

DrSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:30:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Hey DrSugar,
What's the truth behind "sweating out a cold"? Sometimes when I am sick, people suggest that I go for a run or something to sweat it out, but it seems like my body is a little weak and that's the last thing I should be doing. Is this just a myth or is there any truth to "sweating out" sickness?
Thanks!
– Miss Myth

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DrSugar Answers: How Can I Exercise After Surgery?

DrSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0700

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Dear DrSugar,
I had an emergency appendectomy last Wednesday, and I'm wondering if you could give some tips for a post-surgery exercise routine. As an avid runner, kayaker, and rollerblader, it's driving me a little crazy that I can only really shuffle around. I think other post-surgery members of the Sugar community would also like to hear your suggestions. Thanks!
Thanks,
Ready to Work Out

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DrSugar Answers: Is My Heart Rate Too Slow?

DrSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I'm a fairly active 20-something female and workout 6-7 days a week. I just measured my resting heart rate, and it seems pretty low at about 44 beats per minute. I've read that pro athletes can be in the 40-50 range, but I do not consider myself on par with the pros. Should I be concerned about my heart rate or is this perfectly normal? What are the possible causes for a low heart rate?
Thanks,
Slow Beating Heart

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DrSugar Answers: Seasonal Allergies

FitSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:30:00 -0700

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Dear DrSugar,
I have had a perpetually congested nose for about three or four years now. I didn't have allergies as a child, but I think they developed as I got older.

My symptoms include: frequent sinus headaches, worse in Fall and Spring, congested nose, which runs like crazy when I run, but also it becomes harder for me to breathe through. Am I right in thinking these are probably allergy symptoms? I have never been to a doctor about it – should I see a general physician or an allergist? Thanks!
–Allergy Alice

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DrSugar Answers: Hormonal Imbalance and Obesity?

DrSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

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Dear DrSugar,
For the past four years, I can't seem to lose weight despite previously losing 90 pounds through diet and exercise. I know my body and think I might have some kind of imbalance. Can you advice me on how to approach this subject with a doctor, like: What kinds of questions should I ask, what kind of tests should I request. I want some real answers? Something is not right with me, but I can't get anyone to talk to me about it. Thank you!

This is not the only question of this nature that I received recently. To see my answer, just

DrSugar Answers: Is HPV Curable?

DrSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:30:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and he's here to answer your medical and health related questions. This week, the doc is talking about the confusing yet common subject, HPV, also known as warts.

Dear DrSugar,
Is HPV fully curable? I've gotten several answers from different places and I want to know which one is right.
Thanks,
– Anxious for Answers

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DrSugar Answers: Carbs and Blood Sugar Levels

DrSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:45:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and he has the answers. Since carb confusion is a common problem, his first response deals with the complex issue surrounding blood sugars and carbs.

Dear DrSugar,
I love eating fruits, but I worry about my sugar intake. Since I'm a vegetarian, I eat a lot of carbohydrates too, but the good kind. But will all these carbs make my glucose levels too high?
Thanks!
Concerned About Carbs

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DrSugar Is in the House!

FitSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Do you have medical questions but no idea who your primary-care physician is? Curious about a health issue but don't think it warrants a visit and a co-pay? Think you should go see a doctor but want a second opinion other than your mother's? Then please meet DrSugar, our new in-house doctor!

DrSugar is a practicing internist (think JD on Scrubs) who lives in San Francisco, and he's on call to answer all of your health-care questions right here on FitSugar. If you have a question you would like DrSugar to answer, just send me a private message here, and I will pass it on to DrSugar. As they say, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.