PUBLISHED 12/06/2005
Your cold's going for an endurance record
A never-ending winter cold may be allergies in disguise. Spending more time inside can increase your exposure to mold and dust. David Bernstein, M.D., an allergy expert at the University of Cincinnati, recommends a daily dosage of loratadine, a long-acting, nonsedating antihistamine. "The drug is most effective when it's built up in your system over time," he says.
Your Fix: Claritin 24 hour Allergy, Alavert, and the generic versions of these brands contain slow-release loratadine, which keeps the drug in your bloodstream for 24 hours.
Extra Tip: Claritin RediTabs provide a fast fix: They begin working in 15 minutes.
Your feet itch and burn
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that thrives in moist areas such as locker-room showers and wet running socks. Use a treatment with terbinafine or butenafine, which kill the fungus faster than other remedies, says Steve Pray, Ph.D., professor of nonprescription drugs at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
Your Fix: Lamisil AT, which contains terbinafine, Lotrimin Ultra, which contains butenafine, or generic versions of these brands.
Extra Tip: Change out of wet socks, wear flip-flops in locker rooms, and dry your feet last when toweling off.
Montezuma takes his revenge during your runs
Stomach woes can interfere with a run for a variety of reasons, including excessive hydration. "When you drink too much water, it moves through the GI tract without being absorbed, and that causes diarrhea," says James Glazer, M.D., professor of sports medicine at the University of Vermont School of Medicine. So limit fluid intake to less than 16 ounces an hour before a run. Also, avoid foods high in protein, fat, or fiber, which are slow to digest. Dr. Glazer cautions against making a habit of taking anti-diarrhea meds that contain loperamide, such as Imodium A-D, before a run. Loperamide can mask symptoms of dehydration, and taken on a regular basis, it could cause constipation or damage to your GI lining.
Your Fix: Bismuth subsalicylate, which is gentler on the stomach. It's found in Pepto-Bismol and generic brands.
Extra Tip: Meet with a sports nutritionist. Tweaking your diet will likely decrease your need for pit stops.
