During the summer, many of us participate in outdoor sporting events - Marathons, charity runs/walks, cross-country bike rides. In rare cases, people unused to exercise - or even well-trained athletes participating in a grueling endurance event - can experience rhabdomyolysis, a serious syndrome that results when muscle fibers break down and are released into the bloodstream. In these cases, rhabdomyolysis is caused by extreme muscle strain.
Summer is the season of ticks - and the potential to be exposed to a tick-borne illness. One of those illnesses is ehrlichiosis, a bacterial illness that causes mild to severe flu-like symptoms. While you can be exposed to ehrlichiosis via a blood transfusion or by direct contact with an infected, slaughtered animal, most people are infected by a bite from a tick. When a tick latches on to you and feeds it can transmit Ehrlichia chaffeensis bacteria to your bloodstream. The result is a range of flu-like symptoms including:
- Muscles aches
- Joint pain
- Mild fever
- Headache
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
- Rash
Symptoms usually appear within 14 days of having been bitten by a tick. If you experience the above symptoms and have been in an area with ticks visit your physician. Be certain to tell them that you have been in a region with ticks so they know to check you for signs of a tick-borne illness. Abnormal blood tests are the best indicators of a tick-borne disease. If you are infected, your blood test may show abnormal liver function, low white blood cell count or low platelet count. If you do have ehrlichiosis your physician will mostly likely prescribe a seven- to ten-day round of antibiotics.
While ehrlichiosis is generally a mild infection, people with weakened immune symptoms may experience more serious side effects from ehrlichiosis, such as seizures, coma, respiratory, kidney or heart failure.
Amyloidosis is a rare disease in which abnormal proteins, called amyloid proteins, build up in your organs - affecting your kidneys, heart, spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract or nervous system. Researchers have not yet determined the exact cause of amyloidosis, but those at greater risk include people over 40, those with chronic infectious or inflammatory diseases (such as tuberculosis or rheumatoid arthritis), those with a family history of the disease and those undergoing kidney dialysis.
In most of Wisconsin, we experienced a very cloudy, rainy spring - so most of us are ill-prepared to adapt to the intense rays of the sun this June. It is always important to protect yourself from the sun in summer - sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and avoiding peak sun exposure (10 am to 2 pm) are key. But this year I’m seeing even more cases of severe sunburn and skin reactions caused by exposure to the sun.
What determines whether or not you get sunburned? Your skin type, how long you are in the sun, when you are in the sun and where you are - including your altitude. The type of sunscreen you use and medications you are taking can also determine how your skin reacts to the sun. Medications such as antibiotics, diuretics, heart drugs, birth control, antidepressants, antifungals, antibacterials and acne medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Waking up with a “Charlie Horse” in the middle of the night can certainly be unpleasant. And it’s something that is often more frequently seen in the warmer months. Why? Because for some people leg cramps are a result of dehydration that can be caused by hot days, sun, exercise and a lack of liquids. When your body’s electrolytes are depleted, the result can be cramps - more commonly in the legs and feet.
Other causes of muscles cramping include:
- Diuretic drugs that can result in dehydration or a depletion of sodium or potassium.
- Overusing muscles that you haven’t exercised in a while.
- Prolonged sitting.
- Imbalance in calcium levels caused by parathyroid disease. This usually causes cramping in the hands or arms.
- Medications taken to reduce cholesterol or stomach acid. Birth control pills, antipsychotics and steroids can lead to cramping as well.
- Flat feet.
If you experience muscle cramping regularly, it’s a good idea to visit your physician. In most cases, your health care provider will examine your medication history and run blood tests to check your potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium levels. A thyroid function test may be run as well.
To prevent cramping stay well-hydrated, exercise often, and stretch your muscles often. Also avoid drinks with caffeine, as well as alcoholic beverages that tend to dehyrdrate your body. It’s a good idea to eat foods rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium as well. Some people find that milk (for the calcium) or a daily vitamin B complex can help prevent cramping.
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