What’s up, doc?
Compiled by Melissa Campeau
Q: Every summer I seem to get a few yeast infections. Why do I get them and how can I avoid them?A: Yeast infections, which cause vaginal itching and burning, occur when there’s an overgrowth of candida, a type of yeast or fungus that’s normally found in the body. Wearing damp, tight-fitting or non-breathable clothing, can make you vulnerable. That means wearing your bathing suit or your sweaty workout gear for too long could be the cause of your infections. There are other causes to consider, as well. Yeast feeds on glucose (sugar) so changes to the amount of sugar in your blood, or the hormones that regulate the sugar in your blood, might encourage yeast to overgrow.
Luckily, yeast infections aren’t hard to treat. There are remedies available at your local drugstore that should relieve the symptoms and help your body get back in balance. It’s best to check with your doctor, though, to make sure that what you’re experiencing really is a yeast infection and not something more serious.
Q: I love running and high-intensity sports. Is it safe to do them when it’s really hot outside?
A: You may have to make a few changes and adapt your workout, but you can definitely keep active all summer. First of all, drink even more water than you think you need. When you exert yourself in hot weather, it’s possible for your body to lose more fluid than it can absorb, no matter how much you drink. So all day, from long before to long after your workout, drink fluids even when you don’t feel thirsty to help keep your water levels in balance. If you plan to be seriously active for an hour or more, pack a sports drink to help replace carbohydrates and electrolytes. While you’re at it, wear loose-fitting, light- coloured clothing and avoid exercising during the hottest hours of the day. Heat and humidity make it hard for your body to cool itself, put-ting you at risk for heatstroke. Aim to exercise in the morning or evening instead. And finally, consider a little watersport cross-training for the summer. Taking up swimming or waterskiing will keep you cool while you’re staying fit and learning a new skill.
Q: I plan to swim in the pool at the YWCA a lot this summer. Can i avoid getting green hair, red eyes and scaly skin from the chlorine?
A: If you have light coloured hair, exposure to hard metals (not the chlorine) in some swimming pools can turn your hair a greenish hue. If you’re feeling really self-confident, you could avoid the problem altogether by wearing a bathing cap. Otherwise you can reduce the build-up of metals in your hair by using shampoos which contain the chelating agent EDTA (ethylenediamene tetracetic acid). For a home remedy, try washing your hair in warm water containing dissolved aspirin. When it comes to your eyes, chlorine can definitely be an irritant. Try not to rub them—it’ll just make them more irritated. Instead, apply a cool compress or soothing drops to relieve the discomfort. To avoid the problem in the first place, do your best to keep your eyes closed while you’re in the pool or, even better, look like a seasoned swimming pro and wear a set of athletic goggles. Chlorine can strip the natural oil barrier on your skin leaving it dehydrated and rough-feeling. Be sure to rinse off chlorine after swimming then gently pat your skin dry (don’t scrub vigorously) and apply a moisturizer. When you bathe, add bath oil to the water after a few minutes of soaking. Your skin will have absorbed some water by then and the oil will seal it in.
