subject: Safety tips for Allergy [print this page] Safety tips for Allergy Safety tips for Allergy
Safety tips for antihistamine and decongestant usage Antihistamines help control the itching and sneezing caused by allergies. If antihistamines upset your stomach, try taking them with milk or a light snack. Antihistamines might cause drowsiness, especially if taken with alcohol, tranquilizers or sedatives.
Do not take antihistamines if you have:
1 glaucoma
2 asthma
3 chronic pulmonary disease
4 shortness of breath
5 difficulty breathing
6 difficulty urinating because of enlarged prostate
Decongestants help clear nasal congestion. They come in pill or capsule form like antihistamines, or in nose drops or sprays. Use the decongestant spray for three days only. Longer use might make your congestion worse.
Only one person should use a decongestant spray (don't share the bottle - it can spread infection). You should discard it when you're finished.
Do not use a decongestant if you:
1 take medication for high blood pressure or depression
2 have heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes or difficulty urinating because of an enlarged prostate
MEDICAL SOURCES
U.S. Pharmacist (14,5:46) FDA Consumer (23,4:17)
Athletes and allergies -could your perfonnance be suffering?
Hay fever, seasonal allergies, and minor cases of the common cold - they affect millions of Americans every year. And every year, many of those Americans treat their symptoms with over-thecounter antihistamines and decongestants.
Most of those people are familiar with the warnings on the packages (drowsiness, fatigue, etc.) and don't drive or operate heavy machinery while taking the medications. However, one segment of the American population unwittingly continues to put itself in danger - the athletes.
Many athletes -both serious, highly trained athletes and the amateur weekend warriors-take allergy medications regularly to get rid of their allergy or cold symptoms and be able to continue in their sporting activities, Most of these people wouldn't think of driving a car while taking medication that causes drowsiness, for example; but they don't realize that many sporting activities can be just as dangerous.
Most over-the-counter antihistamines cause drowsiness, fatigue, delayed reaction times, poor motor coordination and loss of concentration. For this reason, most antihistamine packages warn against driving and using heavy equipment But none of the packages warn against taking a long bicycle ride on a busy road - but the cyclist who is drowsy and uncoordinated because he took an antihistamine is in just as much danger. In addition, many over-the-counter decongestant medications cause restlessness, insomnia, irritability, headaches and' tremors.
What the packages don't warn you about, however, is that the decongestants can use up your body's water stores. That means an athlete can easily suffer from dehydration while out training, especially during hot, dry weather. Over-the-counterallergymedications (antihistamines and decongestants) have many published side effects that all allergy-sufferers, including athletes, should not ignore.These side effects can negatively, and even dangerously, affect an athlete's performance.
Athletes should avoid any athletic activities that require hand-eye coordination, concentrated attention span, quick reaction times, and coordinated motor skills while taking those medications. If the athlete cannot take a break from his training schedule to let the medication wear off, then he should avoid taking the medications to begin with. Check with your doctor about medications that can help relieve your allergy symptoms without affecting your athletic performance.
MEDICAL SOURCE
The Physidan and Sportsmedicine (20,6:112)
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