Spring is just around the corner and all those heavy, loose
clothes will be put away in exchange for lighter more revealing clothes. Warmer
weather means clothes that reveal our figures, tank tops, tees, minis and
shorts, making us all want to get toned up and in shape. Springtime is a great
time to get outside and get fit, the smell of fresh air and blooming flowers
puts us in a happy and motivated mood. But for some it means allergies and
medication just to help get them through the day! These medications can cause
side effects.
Many allergy medications, diet pills and cold remedies
contain ingredients that can make your heart race, a normal dose probably would
be fine but adding exercise may cause unwanted side effects.
Antihistamines can also cause drowsiness and decrease
reaction time and throw off your balance and coordination putting you at risk
for injuries, caution should be taken when riding your bike, running and using
any type of equipment, so please choose a non drowsy formula when possible.
Antihistamines can also cause drying in the upper airways while exercising,
which can be uncomfortable so drink plenty of water. It is also a good idea to
use a nasal saline spray to keep the nasal passages moist.
Decongestants cause narrowing of the blood vessels to allow
better airflow but this also limits blood flow and can cause muscle fatigue,
making exercise difficult. Decongestants can also cause a rise in blood
pressure and heart rate at rest and during exercise.
Diuretics are used to remove water from the body through
your kidneys. They are also used for High Blood Pressure and to remove excess
fluid from the body, because of the increased activity of the kidneys, caution
must be taken to maintain proper hydration before during and after exercising
to avoid electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.
Many active people and athletes take anti-inflammatory drugs
due to training injuries and over use of muscles and joints; it is not advised
to take these drugs to get through a work out, masking pain is not a good
thing, your body is telling you that there is a problem and blocking it out to
get a work out in is dangerous and could lead to further and serious injury.
Currently, there is a bit of controversy on chronic overuse of these types
(NSAID’s) of medications – some researchers say that they can allegedly cause
permanent damage to cartilage.
Beta Blockers, Thyroid Medications, Heart Medications, Anti
Depressants, Birth Control can all have an effect of exercising, weight loss
and your fitness results. Everyone should educate themselves on any and all
medications that you put into your body, they are chemical based and can have
different effects on different people and their metabolism.
Exercising produces positive reactions from all of our
bodies systems; the brain, muscular cardiovascular, digestive, and immune
systems are all affected which is why you feel great when you are finished
exercising, but combined with certain types of medications, the stresses of
exercise placed on the body are different so always talk to your doctor about
your medications and exercise.
If you are training in a private session always inform your
personal trainer of any medications that you are taking before exercising.
Knowledge of a person's medications can provide valuable information in order
to design a safe and effective training program for the client.
For more Health and Fitness tips go to www.fithealthyandfabulous.com
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for
educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the
personal care of a doctor. Please remember to always consult your healthcare
provider before beginning a new fitness program.
