OCR Text |
Show Wednesday, June 10, 1998 tEIje Ucted vjcduuior cioonoo? can bDamo GD JVL: I wu -- The heavy rains produced by of the United States may well produce a few extra sniffs, sneezes and tears this year for people prone to bay fever or similar allergies, says Dr. Abba Terr, clinical professor of medicine at Stanford UniverEl Nifto in much recommends starting with an antihistamine. He notes, however, that the non prescription products are much weaker, and often less effective for serious allergy sufferers, over-the-coun- Nephi, Utah tHimes-efo- s Section B (( ssj ' fine-tun- aller-sour- ness. Newer prescription antihistamines relieve symptoms of stuffiness and mucous secretions, than products available only by usually without the side effects prescription from a primary care of drowsiness, says Terr. doctor or an allergist. Moreover, Other suggestions include the antihista- simple tactic of avoiding pollen the mines frequently have side ef- by spending time in an fects, such as sleepiness, so they room or car, or seeking MSno er vicoxi m ik o Subscribe Today! Only $21 in Juab County oo o rr mo o imm no o mid-Augu- st ((I mefk jfati iiltw Duroflcofl running cun improve Coot (Ikies If youre a casual runner, protect your feet, strengthen your foot muscles and help prevent injuries by running barefoot every once in a while, suggests the team physician for Stanford Universitys track and teams. Many serious amateur and professional runners run a few barefoot miles each week, says Dr. Michael Fredericson, clinical assistant professor of physical and rehabilitation medicine, who also treats patients in Stanfords Sports Medicine Clinic, part of UCSF Stanford Health Care. Casual runners can also derive benefits by taking off their shoes to run a few hundred yards once or twice a week, he says. "The support we get from our shoes is a good thing most of the time, particularly when were running on asphalt or harder surfaces. But many shoes provide so much support that the foot muscles will weaken over time, says Fredericson, who suggests barefoot training to keep the foot muscles toned. He recommends accomplishing such training on a grassy surface thats been eyeballed for hazards such as broken glass. Barefoot running appears to protect particularly well against plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. These conditions, characterized by pain around the heel, are often related to tight calf and foot muscles, and barefoot activity can help maintain the elasticity of these muscles, Fredericson notes. In a complicated world, running barefoot while taking care to avoid sharp or hard obstacles in the grass or dirt is a simple tactic we can use to help ourselves and our feet, he adds. cross-count- ry This Newspaper and all inserts included are recyclable Recycle! I 4 w iuh m me ii 0$? trees and g grasses are the major culprit. Nationwide, ragweed, which grows primarily in the Midwest and East from through the first frost, may be the most common plant that produces runny noses, sneezing and tearing, Tterr says. But individual sensitivities vary, and almost any plant or mold from this years El Nifto bumper crop may cause hay fever-lik- e symptoms in at least some people. When symptoms strike, Terr PI ccee m if ooc( ((oil ij and weeds. West of the Rocky Mountains, spring-pollinatin- 1 shouldnt be used when people specialty care from an allergist, e a treatment program need to drive, operate machinery who can work to pinpoint the with medications or with or otherwise maintain full alertof the allergy and gen immunization, Terr says. sity. 'Along with the abundance of blooming flowers and plants comes a bumper crop of pollen and mold, says Terr, who directs the Allergy Clinic at Stanford . Hospital and Clinics, part of UCSF Stanford Health Care. El Nifto wont cause allergies, but the accompanying rainfall can make things worse, he notes. People who are prone to allergies including those who may have had a reprieve during dry years may be candidates for medication to relieve symptoms. One of the most common allergies is hay fever, which is triggered by pollen from trees, grass Page )) ce |