Questions to Ask When Selecting Your Sports Medicine Doctor

Questions to Ask When Selecting Your Sports Medicine Doctor

Just as cars are not created equally, and neither are sports shoes there are some rather large differences between sports medicine doctors.  The good news is this creates huge amounts of diversity; the bad news is that this can create numerous problems with finding someone who is well qualified to treat sports related injuries and help prevent injuries from occurring.  To help you find the best sports doctor to help you meet your needs, use these questions as a guideline when you are interviewing doctors.

You should first ask your doctor how long they have been treating athletes.  This should be at least several years if you are looking for experience, do not expect someone with less than 3 years of experience to be very helpful.  If you decide to use a doctor new to the field, be aware that they should be cheaper and willing to work closely with you.

It is also wise to ask your doctor if they are currently the official team physician for any teams in your area.  If they say yes, ask what teams so that you can contact the coach for a reference.  Remember, if the coach does not give a positive reference that is still an excellent opportunity of information.  Find out exactly why they do not recommend the doctor you are considering so that you can gather as many facts as possible.

Ask your potential doctor if they are a member of any special organizations such as the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine.  Memberships into these groups typically require credentials to be verified in order for acceptance, this helps to keep only the better doctors amongst membership ranks.

You should also ask if your doctor has attended any specialized training courses.  Some examples are the American College of Sports Medicine team physician training course as well as the course that is offered by the US Olympic Committee.  If they have not attended any special programs this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is worth noting for your own piece of mind.

A very important question that you should ask is what percentage of the practice is pertaining to sports medicine.  Unless the doctor is a sports medicine specialist, you should not expect to hear 100% and even if they are a specialist, they are unlikely to really have a 100% level.  Most practices are as low as only 30%

Ask if the doctor has any particular specialties.  For example, there are doctors who specialize in orthopedic surgery, as well as various other medical fields.  If you are just looking for a basic sports medicine doctor then often choosing a family practice or even an internal medicine doctor is the best decision.  From the primary doctor that you choose you can receive referrals to other doctors as they become necessary.

Your final consideration should be looking for a doctor that is willing to meet with you before you filling out any paperwork.  This means that they should be willing to do an interview, preferably free where you can talk to them for a few minutes to learn about them, their experience, and their practice.  Many doctors do this, especially those who are pediatricians.  This means that your sports medicine doctor should be willing to have an initial interview as well.  Using this to your benefit means you can ask your questions and see how comfortable you are before you actually need their services.

Purpose of the American College of Sports Medicine

Purpose of the American College of Sports Medicine

The American College of Sports Medicine is more than just a nifty name; they are the main organization that is working towards improving the entire field of sports medicine with the overall health of athletes in mind.  By taking the ideas and advances in sports medicine and combining them together with the best training and developmental research, the American College of Sports Medicine aims to help as many people as possible regardless of location.

Developed in 1954, the ACSM has more than 20,000 members currently amongst its ranks with members coming from all around the world.  The American College of Sports Medicine is working in several ways to help improve the overall treatment options that are available to athletes around the world, including the use of their certification programs that range from the type of specialty.  It is always recommended to select a sports medicine professional who is certified in the area in which they practice to ensure they have received the best training possible.

In addition to the certification programs that are offered the ACSM offers several conferences through out the year in various locations that are geared towards specific specialties.  Professionals who are associated with the ACSM are highly encouraged to attend these conferences to help them stay up to date on the latest developments in the field of sports medicine.

In addition to working with professionals who are already practicing a specialty in the sports medicine field, the ACSM also encourages students who are still in school and those involved in their residency to start getting involved to ensure they are expanding their education as much as possible.  While some may think that the ACSM is useless, many also agree that there are numerous benefits of having a specific group responsible for giving the certifications.

Most patients prefer working with doctors who are well qualified, and the American College of Sports Medicine offers numerous benefits because of the continued research in the field as well as extensive developmental opportunities that it offers.  In addition, the ACSM is dedicated to helping professionals develop as much as possible simply by making it convenient, with a mixture of campus and online programs offered there is almost no reason why every sports medicine professional cannot be involved in continuing their educational goals.

Athletes themselves find the ACSM to be a great resource to them.  It provides them a way of measuring various sports medicine professionals to help them determine which is the best provider for their individual needs.  By ensuring that a certification method is in place, it allows most athletes and coaches alike to separate the dedicated sports medicine providers from those who are not as experienced and knowledgeable in the field.

As each individual provider grows and expands their knowledge of the field, they are usually welcomed to join the ACSM and ensure that they continue to stay at the top of their field.  Various methods are always in place for most fields to keep professionals well trained and the ACSM provides this for the sports medicine field.  Despite continuous improvements in treatment options available, the American College of Sports Medicine encourages professionals to continue to be the best in their field.

However, important to note is that aside from the ACSM encouraging doctors and other sports medicine professionals to continuously further their education it also encourages advances in the field to help new treatment methods develop faster, as well as helping ensure that all treatment methods have the best interests of the athletes in mind whom they are designed to help.

Further helping the ACSM is the fact that there are so many resources that are used to help ensure that certified professionals in the sports medicine field stay up to date on all pressing technology changes and new developments.  Rather than allowing, all of the professionals to allow their education to take a backseat to their practice professionals are highly encouraged to continue learning as much as possible.

Proper Treatment for Sports Injuries

Proper Treatment for Sports Injuries

While most people will go see a doctor after any type of sports injury is incurred, there are some that do not require a doctor to treat, and still others need to be treated in the meantime until you can get to a doctor to help the recovery process get started.  Quick treatment often means the difference between a 3-month recovery and a 2-month recovery so it is very important to start treating the injury right away.

The most common injuries that are suffered are acute injuries.  The best way to treat these is to use R.I.C.E. initially then determine if seeing a doctor is necessary.  R.I.C.E. is an acronym that is short for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.  The purpose of each step is different with rest being essential to allow the healing to begin while helping to prevent further injury to the area from occurring.  Ice is vital because it can help stop swelling in the injured area, which can help when it comes to diagnosing the injury.  Compression is important because it helps to reduce swelling even further as well as provides support for the injury.  Elevation is necessary because it reduces the flow of blood to the injured area and allows the force of gravity to pull blood away, thus reducing bruising, swelling and pain.

Proper treatment using R.I.C.E. is to first take a piece of cloth such as a town and wrap it around the injury this helps to protect the skin from irritation.  Next, you want to apply an ice pack or cold compress directly over the injured area.  Using an elastic bandage or even a support bandage to hold the ice in place carefully wrap the injured area snuggly, be careful not to wrap too tightly you are not trying to cut off the blood supply, just hold the ice in place.  You should apply ice for approximately 15 minutes every three hours during the day to continue treating.

In the event that you cannot decide if seeing a doctor is necessary, use these rules of thumb to assist you.

If you see any bone, muscle, cartilage or ligaments then an emergency trip to the doctor is absolutely necessary.
If the pain from the injured area seems to be spreading to other areas of the body.
If you have a very large amount of swelling in the injured area that following R.I.C.E. is not helping.
If you cannot move the injured area at all.
If you cannot feel the injured area, or if it tingles or feels very weak and fragile.
If your injury has not improved after three weeks of rest.
If your injured area has developed a rash, fever, pus, or if it feels hot to the touch.
Finally, if you have any doubts about being able to treat the injury yourself then seeing a doctor is as essential as if one of the previous conditions mentioned was visible.  You should always seek help from a doctor in the even that you are unsure how to treat the injury.  You are not bugging your doctor; rather you are ensuring that you are treated safely and quickly.

If ever in doubt, seeing your doctor is advisable to receive the best possible care.  If your doctor is unavailable, and the injury is serious, go to the emergency room and see medical help there.  Never leave a serious injury without seeking medical help as the condition can worsen causing the need for serious treatment even potentially surgery to become necessary.

Post Exercise Considerations

Post Exercise Considerations

For those in the athletic field it is vital to ensure that while you are fully prepared for an athletic event you also take careful consideration to recover from an athletic event as well.  This means you should take care of your body after the activity just as you would before the activity.  In many situations it is even more important because you are tired, drained and are lacking some vital nutrients that your body really needs.

One of the biggest concerns that sports medicine professionals have is helping athletes restore fluids to the body.  This is because most athletes disperse large amounts of fluid through sweating and creates a huge void that must be filled.  It is very important that you weight yourself before engaging in any athletic activity and then again immediately afterwards.  While you may be excited initially about the weight loss, it is important to realize that you have only lost fluids, and those fluids must be replaced quickly.

To rehydrate your body thoroughly it is recommended that you drink as much as 24 ounces of water for each pound of weight that you lost.  This will help you to quickly recover the fluids that your body is missing, while still keeping your stomach light enough to handle a brief rest before eating.  It is important to notice as well that water is the best liquid to consume; it is not advisable to use sports drinks when you are consuming such a large amount of liquid.

After your exercise is over, it is also important to consume some form of carbohydrate within 20 minutes.  The best carbohydrates to look into are some form of fruit, or even a natural juice whether it is fruit juice or vegetable juice is entirely up to your and your medical team.  Additionally, sports medicine professionals recommend combining carbohydrates with proteins to really speed the energy stores back into the body.

The best guideline to use is giving the body 4 carbohydrates for each protein that is consumed.  It has been determined that this is the formula that allows the body to recover in the shortest amount of time, while still keeping the intake light enough to not cause any stomach problems.  Whether you look towards a solid food or even a special drink that combined proteins and carbohydrates together is entirely up to your and your medical team as well.

Remember, consuming additional calories immediately after a workout may seem conflicting however, it is very important that the energy stores of the body be replaced to ensure that you are not causing more harm than good to your body.  Lack of energy even following an exercise program can be very harmful to the body if not quickly treated and can also increase the risks of injury, which make it even more harmful.

Talking to your medical team can help you determine the exact amount you should be eating both before and after working out to ensure maximum energy supplies and the shortest recharging time possible.  If you are concerned that you are still weak or tired after a workout it may be time to consult with your doctor and increase the amount of carbohydrates that you are consuming.  The same may hold true if you are experiencing muscle weakness or fatigue following a workout for your protein levels.

Never assume that the exact amount of carbohydrate and protein intake levels that work for one person are going to work for you.  It is best to instead discuss with your doctor and coach the exact needs that you specifically have so that you can ensure you are creating the best overall health situation possible.  Avoiding conversations with your doctor about your health and nutrition needs can be destructive.  You need to know exactly what your body requires based upon your individual needs and workout patterns.  Taking care of your own individual needs is part of why you have a team of sports medicine professionals all working together.  Use them to your benefit for your post workout nutrition.

Importance of Protein for Athletes

Importance of Protein for Athletes

Doctors, trainers and various other sports medicine professionals are all sure to tell you that eating healthy is part of being a successful athlete.  What is not always mentioned is the need and requirement that you actually put forth the time and effort to create a very balanced diet.  This includes the use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, three components that are typically considered bad nutrients. 

The thinking that is required of athletes not only in training but in nutritional situations is to consider food as a form of energy.  Eating the right food can provide benefits to the body in extended energy and better muscle mass, while omitting the vital components can result in muscle fatigue, weakened muscles, deteriorating muscles, and even exhaustion to just mention a few problems.  This leaves athletes with the responsibility of working closely with their doctors and coaches to develop an appropriate diet based upon their individual athletic abilities.

In order to be successful, especially when doing endurance or strength intensive sports it is important to have the necessary muscle strength to actually perform the activity.  If you are not consuming the correct nutrients, you are harming your body.  However, there is more to proper nutrition than simply eating a small amount of the nutrients. 

For example, protein is a nutrient that many people have tried omitting in recent fad diets.  The bad news for athletes is that protein is a requirement in order to help build and maintain muscle mass.  This results in athletes who cut protein from their diet losing muscle strength as well as mass, which can ultimately alter their performance, strength, and even health in the long term.  Because of the benefits of consuming protein for athletes, it is vital that enough protein be consumed to keep the muscles in proper shape.

A rough guideline that is standard to use is you need to consume .08 grams of protein for each 2.2 pounds of body weight each and every day.  For athletes who are involved in endurance sports the number increases to 1.2 to 1.4 grams per day, and for those athletes who are involved in strength training activities the number jumps to as much as 1.4 to 1.8 grams per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day. 

In addition to the general guidelines that are set forth there are also times when it may be beneficial to increase protein consumption to assist in a muscle injury healing.  When this is a consideration, you should talk to your doctor and get their exact recommendation on the amount of protein you should be consuming in accordance with still keeping an overall healthy outlook and physical routine. 

It is essential that you always careful discuss your exact protein requirements with your doctor as well as your coach anytime you start a new athletic activity, and especially if you are enduring some especially rigorous training for any reason.  It is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your body continues to develop and maintain the muscle mass that is needed to sustain the athletic activity of your choice.

If you are even considering trying a diet that is low in protein, it is vital that you first discuss the risks with your doctor and consult to see if any other dietary changes could help you achieve the results you wish to achieve by omitting protein.  Remember, protein is a necessary component to help you ensure that you are creating and maintaining muscle mass, which is a requirement for all athletic activities.  Which muscles you use, and how strong they must be can vary, however having the muscle mass required is essential.

Never omit protein from your diet without first discussing it with your doctor.  If your doctor agrees that it is wise to reduce or omit your protein intake, ensure that you are following your doctor’s instructions quite carefully.  Failing to properly follow your doctor’s recommendations in regards to your nutritional health can harm your overall health as well.

History of Sports Medicine

History of Sports Medicine

Sports medicine was initially coordinated in the ancient areas of Greece and Rome where many of the young athletes were not being properly trained.  Striving to improve this training and provide better overall supervision of the young athlete’s physical education was designed.  This coordination of physical education was used to help increase the strength and abilities of the athletes in a carefully controlled way, which would allow their progress to be carefully monitored.

In events as far back as the 5th century, it is possible to notice distinct training to help discourage injuries starting with such people as Herodicus, whom is credited with using therapeutic exercise to help heal injuries, and also Galen who was a doctor that was assigned to monitor the gladiators of the 2nd Century.  Previous attempts at using a doctor for preventative training was largely ignored with physicians and doctors only being used in the event that an injury did occur.

However, despite these efforts it was not until many years later that Sports Medicine itself was actually conceived.  During the 1928 Olympics, which were held in St. Moritz a small committee was formed with the task of organizing the International Congress of Sports Medicine.  Upon this concept, the idea of using actual doctors to help prevent the occurrence of injuries was brought to light.  Starting in 1968 during the Summer Olympics, which were held in Mexico City, Dr. J.C. Kennedy organized a team of doctors that was to travel with the Canadian athletes to ensure they were well cared for. 

In addition, Dr. Kennedy became the founder of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine.  Additionally, Dr. Kennedy earned the honor of being appointed to be the Chief Medical Officer for the first medical team to be officially associated with the Olympics in the 1972 Summer Olympics that were held in Munich, Germany.  This was a task that proved even the Olympics were starting to place value in the idea of sports medicine.

As time has progressed the involvement of physicians and doctors in more than just treatment of injuries has increased.  Many athletes see doctors regularly for check ups and testing to ensure that they are in the best physical shape possible, while still achieving the athletic goals that they desire.  While the use of a sports medicine team by many is still considered a luxury, for others it is an essential aspect of being a responsible athlete.

As the amount of care provided to athletes before injuries occur has increased, the number of injuries that are being treated has decreased which leads to a better quality of life for many athletes.  Deciding to be proactive in the treatment options of athletes is part of what sets sports medicine apart from many other fields.  Rather than waiting until an injury occurs, sports medicine aims to continuously minimize the risk to athletes to achieve the best results.

Sports medicine has come a very long way in recent years, and continued research and growth in the field is abundantly clear.  Most athletic teams travel with a team of doctors, and most athletes particularly professionals are all eagerly willing to work with a well qualified sports medicine team to improve their health.  From reduced injuries to improving performance results, the field of sports medicine has made incredible progress since the beginnings in Ancient Rome and Greece.

Exposing Shin Splints

Exposing Shin Splints

One of the harshest and most painful injuries that people suffer from are shin splints.  While a relatively minor injury that does not involve surgery to correct, it does require plenty of rest and careful training to help prevent the injury from becoming worse.  Taking a few minutes to acquaint yourself with shin splints and how they are caused can help you to avoid these painful little injuries and ensure that you are not suffering downtime because of them.

A shin splint in its simplest form is when the muscles and tendons of the lower leg pull away from the tibia.  It is possible to have a shin splint that results in muscle and tendon damage to the fibula as well; however, this is much less likely since shin splints usually are associated with pain in the front of the lower leg, rather than the side.

Shin splints are typically caused by overstraining the muscles along the front of the leg.  Running, dancing and various other activities can cause the muscles stress and fatigue, however it is weight that is sometimes blamed for shin splints.  It is important to notice that rather than weight being the factor that determines shin splints, it is instead the impact of the weight onto the legs and muscles that cause shin splints.  Because of this, it is possible for someone who weights 80 pounds to experience shin splints, just as someone who weights 300 pounds can experience shin splints.

Some of the methods that can really agitate the muscles are running or exercising on extremely stiff and hard surfaces such as concrete for prolonged periods of time, exercising or running on ground that is uneven causing additional strain on the muscles at times and even wearing shoes that do not fit properly can cause additional strain.  Other factors that can increase the risks of shin splints include running or exercising uphill or downhill frequently and even starting an exercise program after a previously sedative lifestyle.

Avoiding shin splints may seem like an impossible task, however with some careful consideration paid to how your body functions and how you take care of yourself, it is possible to reduce the number of shin splints that you get.  Remember, prevention should always be your priority, so that you reduce the time you spend healing after an injury.

Your first consideration should be your shoes.  Having the wrong shoes can be a huge mistake.  Whether they fit wrong, are they are just of poor quality having the wrong shoes is like pulling the muscles from your leg yourself.  Ensuring you always wear shoes that fit appropriately and provide the support and cushioning that you need can ensure that you are reducing your risk.  Additionally, you should never wear tennis shoes to play basketball if you play frequently for example.  Sports that you play quite frequently you should invest in the appropriate shoes that are designed to support your feet properly during play.

Next, you should always carefully warm up before ever starting to play.  This will allow your muscles even those along the tibia to slowly stretch and become more fluid before moving into faster and more stressful movements.  This is an essential step that cannot be missed.

Additionally, carefully checking where you are exercising is another way to prevent shin splints.  Avoid exercising on concrete and other extremely hard surfaces.  Choose gyms that offer suspended floors under equipment and choose grassy areas that are flat, rather than riddles with holes and slopes.

Your last step should be to engage in a strength and conditioning class.  Generally, this short class lasts about 20-30 minutes and helps to slowly and carefully strengthen all of the muscles in your body.  Remember, prevention should be your best friend.

Discovering Hyponatremia and Preventing It!

Discovering Hyponatremia and Preventing It!

How many people really know without reaching for a dictionary what hyponatremia is?  The bad news is that most people are unaware of what it is, yet it is a very dangerous condition that occurs quite often.  Much more often than it really should in fact.  To blame for the heightened occurrences is the fact that most people do not understand the proper fluid levels that should be maintained during exercise.  This is particularly important during those exercises that are quite intensive such as marathons and endurance activities.

Hyponatremia is so important because it involves the blood sodium levels in the body.  It is important that these levels be maintained in a proper proportion in order for the body to remain healthy.  If the levels are adjusted through extreme sweating or even an over abundance of water consumption then Hyponatremia can occur which creates several problems.  If you are seeing a sports medicine doctor and discussing participating in an endurance activity be sure to thoroughly ask about hyponatremia so that you can avoid it as much as possible.

Hyponatremia is important because it occurs when sodium levels are greatly decreased.  This occurs in the normal process of sweating.  However, creating the actual problem is when athletes consume large amounts of water continuously, which further reduces the ratio of the blood sodium levels.  This lowered ratio is what creates the problems of hyponatremia.  However, the solution is sometimes quite easy, but unless you have discussed the problem with your doctor, you are unlikely to know.

Symptoms of hyponatremia are as subtle as a nauseated feeling, some small muscle cramps, possibly being disoriented and even a bit confused mentally.  This is quite often mistaken for just simply being dehydrated which will prompt many people to reach for more water to drink, which ultimately makes the problem much worse.  Extreme cases of hyponatremia include symptoms such as comas, seizures and in the most extreme cases, death is possible. 

In order to really prevent and treat hyponatremia it is vital that you drink a sports drink that contains sodium, or else eat a food with sodium especially higher levels of sodium to quickly restore the proper levels to the body.  In addition, cutting back on the plain water consumption until sodium levels are higher is also advised.  If you are having severe symptoms, it is best to see a doctor immediately, preferably a sports medicine doctor who is knowledgeable about treatment options.

In order to prevent hyponatremia there are a few things that you can easily do.  The first is ensuring that you are keeping a sports energy drink on hand to continuously drink.  While drinking water is important as well, the sports energy drink will help replenish sodium levels while the water will flush more sodium from the body. 
If you do not have hypertension discuss with your doctor increasing your sodium intake levels for a few days before the endurance event.  Only increase your sodium levels under the watchful eye of your doctor or you could create problems with hypertension where none previously existed.

Additionally, it is best to always drink plenty of fluids.  The best guideline to use is a cup of fluids, which is 8 ounces for each 20 minutes of activity.  If you are engaging in an hour-long endurance activity that would translate into 3 cups of fluids.

Additionally, it is best to only replace fluids that you lose.  This means that you should avoid adding additional fluids to your body that are not needed.  For example if you lose 2 pounds from fluid loss, you should replace the fluids that were lost.  This would not mean drinking more than 4 cups of fluids at a maximum to replace the missing fluids.

With proper precautions, you can avoid having a problem with hyponatremia and instead enjoy participating safely in the endurance activity of your choice.  With careful medical treatment and proper prevention, it is not a problem that will force you to stop engaging in sports; rather it can make you more aware of your bodies’ nutritional requirements.

Deciding Which Doctor to See

Deciding Which Doctor to See

If you have more than one doctor, which many people do especially athletes then it is often confusing exactly which doctor you should see.  However, if you follow some simple guidelines you should find the decision much easier.  Remember, seeing a doctor is a good idea in the event of an injury, however emergencies are usually best treated in an emergency room with follow up through your normal doctor.

You should first consider why you want to go to the doctor.  If you have a need rather than just simply a check up then consider exactly what is needed.  If you need a simple work up or even a flu shot then seeing a standard family practitioner is usually much easier and faster.  However, if you have a sports related injury then it is best to see a sports medicine doctor.

As part of your sports medicine team, you are likely to have numerous doctors all working together with a physical therapist, primary doctor and various other professionals including often a surgeon.  Your first stop whenever seeing a sports medicine doctor should always be to your primary physician.  After visiting with them, they can determine based off your needs exactly whom you should be referred to see next.  This also often has the benefit of allowing some treatment options to get started in the meantime, rather than being forced to wait until the specialist can see you.

However, it is important to note that if you only see a sports medicine doctor and do not have a standard internal medicine or family physician that you should always see your sports medicine doctor unless they recommend you see someone else.  With sports medicine doctors covering a large gamut of specialties it is possible to only use sports medicine doctors if preferred.

If you are running a fever, or else have a rash that has appeared, the best doctor to often see is your primary care physician.  If however, you have been experiencing leg pain then it is best to see the sports medicine doctor.  Anytime you have a problem or injury that has resulted because of sports, or can impact sports it is best to see a sports medicine doctor. 

In the event that you have a pressing issue that needs immediate treatment, often the decision over which doctor to see becomes blurred.  This is because many times doctors have very long waits before being able to secure an appointment.  If you discover that this is your problem, you best bet is to check with both doctors and see who can fit you in sooner.  If neither doctor is able to see you fast enough, you may be best to see the emergency room in your area and schedule a follow up visit.  While not everyone is pleased with seeing an emergency room rather than their normal doctor it is a necessary action at times where there are serious complications or in the event of an emergency.

While emergencies may mandate the usage of the emergency room, appointments that are not emergencies should be scheduled with the appropriate doctor to ensure that you receive the best care possible.  For example, if you are using a sports medicine doctor and also an internal medicine doctor you should schedule your normal yearly check ups with your internal medicine doctor, as well as your yearly flu shot.  However, if you are looking into creating a new exercise program or even starting a new sport then a visit to your sports medicine doctor is most appropriate. 

As the number of sports medicine doctors offering varying specialties continues to increase the decision over which doctor to choose for visits is likely to become even more confusing, however you are not alone and by carefully considering the purpose of the visit, you should be able to easily determine which doctor is the best choice for your individual needs.

Combating Muscle Fatigue

Combating Muscle Fatigue

Athletes from amateur to professional level all experience muscle fatigue at some point.  The people who tend to suffer the most however are surprisingly those who are less active.  Many regard professional athletes as much more likely to have complications with muscle fatigue, however in terms of how the muscles use energy those who are less active than professionals are at a distinct disadvantage. 

It is very important to understand that when you are working out, you are slowly wearing down the muscles and burning all of the energy that is provided to the muscles as well.  Because of the energy that the muscles burn not being able to be replaced into the muscle quite as quickly as it is burned this causes muscle fatigue to become a problem.  Sports medicine professionals are all well knowledgeable in exactly how to help professional athletes reduce the problems they experience from muscle fatigue.

In order to really combat the problems of muscle fatigue and keep it from happening, it is important to train the body to supply energy faster.  Muscles receive energy in two different forms.  The first is from oxygen, which creates aerobic metabolism; this is simply the process of creating adenosine triphosphate from oxygen.  The other method is anaerobic metabolism, which is generated from stores of energy that are stored in the muscles themselves. 

The problem that occurs most often in muscle fatigue is that anaerobic metabolism does not store huge amounts of energy and aerobic metabolism is a slower method to deliver energy to the muscles.  This creates a problem for many people and results in them suddenly experiencing muscle fatigue.  Professional athletes and those who are highly active are trained to help their bodies deliver energy from oxygen, which is the aerobic metabolism.

By training the body to efficiently and effectively deliver larger amounts of oxygen to the body it is possible to increase quickly the amount of energy that the muscles have available to use.  This reduces the risk of muscle fatigue and allows a workout to continue for much longer.  However, it takes several weeks or even months to train the body to effectively speed the flow of oxygen enough to keep from experiencing muscle fatigue based solely from a supply of aerobic metabolism.

In addition to learning ways to improve the flow of energy, it is also important for athletes to learn ways to reduce the use of muscles as much as possible to conserve energy.  It is vital that energy management be controlled for athletes because without the control management many athletes would find themselves unable to workout or even complete their workout.  This is never an advisable situation for any athlete; however, it can occur quite often.

In order to combat the symptoms and maximize the benefits of muscle energy it is important to work with your sports medicine physician as well as your trainer to ensure you are training your body to be as effective as possible.  If you are careful and work closely with your trainer, coach and sports medicine doctor you can gather the best ways to encourage your body to conserve energy, while still increasing the flow of aerobic metabolism to your muscles.

Working towards an appropriate training method will help ensure that your muscles are as strong as possible and greatly reduce the risk of having a problem with muscle fatigue.  There is plenty of professional help who can assist you in creating the best training plan possible to strengthen the muscles.  Providing the maximum amount of energy to your muscles possible is the best thing you can do in order to ensure you stay as healthy as possible, with as little risk of injury as possible.

It is very important that you always discuss any concerns that you have with your doctor or coach.  They can assist you in assuring that you take the proper precautions to ensure your body is carefully trained.  If you have any doubts about your overall health, it is essential to talk to your doctor immediately.

Sports Medicine or Pediatrician

Sports Medicine or Pediatrician?

Many parents are concerned in their little league athletes seeing a sports medicine doctor rather than an actual pediatrician.  However, many of the reasons given for the hesitation are quite unnecessary and can make things more difficult on parents.  While the ultimate decision on which type of doctor to use rests firmly in the hands of the parent it is important to ensure you know the benefits as well as drawbacks of both before making a final decision.

Most pediatricians have an absolute love of children; however, this is not to say that you cannot find a pediatric sports medicine doctor who also shares this love.  In fact, with sports becoming such a vital part of life for so many children the number of pediatric sports medicine providers is increasing steadily across the world. 

While some parents do not feel comfortable using a sports medicine doctor as a complete replacement for a standard pediatrician others do.  The options that are available range from using only a pediatrician, to using a pediatric sports medicine doctor, to using both.  The benefits of using both can mean you child lacks nothing in medical care.  However, as a drawback you are looking at more frequent doctor’s visits as well as the necessity to coordinate records amongst both offices to ensure that both doctors know what is going on.

With many sports medicine doctors also specializing in various areas of the medical field, finding a great pediatric sports medicine doctor is possible.  Finding a doctor that your child is comfortable with is also possible and can be accomplished with some work and effort placed into interviewing the right doctor. If you are looking into using a pediatric sports medicine doctor, ensure that they are comfortable and do offer all pediatric services in addition to the sports medicine services.  There is no point in using a doctor that is to handle all of your needs if you are still forced to see a different doctor to handle basics such as shots, and dispensing any medications that may be necessary.

Choosing a single pediatric sports medicine doctor should mean that you are only seeing a single doctor unless a specialist is necessary.  However, while seeing a single doctor may be easier because of fewer doctors involved to see it can also be better to see separate pediatric and sports medicine doctors.  This is especially common if a sports medicine doctor is in your area that is highly regarded whom only treats sports related issues.  In addition, if you already have a great pediatrician that you and your child are both comfortable with, there is no need to switch completely.

The choice over which type of doctor to use is quite personal.  People have been known to drive several hours so they can keep the same doctor even after moving to a new area.  If you have this type of relationship with your pediatrician, then switching to a pediatric sports medicine doctor may not be the best option for you.  Never feel as if you must choose between the two.  You are free to see whichever doctor you prefer with your child.

When working with more than one doctor it is important to ensure that they both know about each other.  This is vital so that records can be coordinated especially during treatment to ensure that your child receives the best care possible.  Never feel as if you are betraying your child’s pediatrician by finding sports medicine doctor as well.  Instead, your doctor will be happy that you have taken the necessary steps to ensure that your child is well protected.

Regardless of which doctor you prefer for your child to see, the end result should be the same.  A doctor whom is concerned about the genuine health and welfare of your child is best regardless of what their specialty is.  Never second guess your instincts, if you have a clear preference in what you want for your child’s doctor then ensure that you keep looking for the perfect doctor until you find exactly what you want.

Children at Greatest Risk for Sports Injuries

Children at Greatest Risk for Sports Injuries

The statistics all around the world are startling; children are much more likely to be injured while playing sports than an adult, even if they are only playing the occasional game.  As parents and adults, how can we protect children from the majority of the injuries?  There are some things you can do, both as treatment and as preventative to ensure that they are as protected as possible.

Your first concern should always be getting a physical check up of your child done before allowing them to actually play sports.  This is absolutely imperative to let you know if there are any potential problems that you need to know about.  While most children are healthy, there are some children that are not or that are highly prone to injuries.  A good doctor should be able to let you know if your child can handle the physical activity of playing a sport.

Ensure your child has the appropriate safety equipment.  Never allow them to play or practice without it.  This can result in serious injuries as well as minor injuries, but it is always best to protect your child by ensuring that safety equipment is always worn.  In addition, it is important to ensure that the safety equipment your child uses fits properly.  This means that while it may be cheaper to pass down equipment from child to child, making sure it fits appropriately is even more important.

Other concerns should be ensuring that the coach your child plays with has been trained in how to interact with children, as well as teach them the rules of the game.  Ensuring that all kids playing follow the rules is one of the best moves that coaches can make to help avoid injuries both during practice and during games.  Teaching how to cheat will not only rob your child of sportsmanship but also increase the risk of injury immensely.

Make sure your child is playing with other children who are around the same size, as well as skill level.  Common sense should tell you that a 5 year old should not be playing on the same team as a 15 year old.  However, many parents do not realize just how important skill level can be.  Having a child who is a beginner playing on an intermediate to advanced level team is a recipe for disaster and should be avoided.  Always ask about the skill level of the team before signing up, if the team is too advanced for your child, find a team that is better suited.

Before your child starts any sport, regardless of age you should find a sports medicine doctor whom you are comfortable with as well as whom your child can talk to.  This is important because many parents must deal with restrictions due to insurance and geographical location.  Finding a doctor who is suitable before an injury occurs means you will spend less time waiting to start appropriate treatment in the event that an injury does occur.  This also helps to ensure that you start your child on the appropriate foot in terms of preparing to be the safest and healthiest possible while playing sports.

As you can imagine, there are always numerous things to look out for in childhood.  Injuries in sports just constitutes yet another potential danger, but with careful consideration and close supervision it is possible for most children to enjoy playing sports with very few, or minor injuries.

Carbohydrates the Essential Energy Source

Carbohydrates the Essential Energy Source

Most athletes know and realize just how important it is to get the proper nutrients however many athletes are being drawn into the idea of using low carbohydrate diets as a way to help control weight.  Needless to say, the sports medicine field is quite alarmed at this recent trend.  The number of athletes that are starting to use low carbohydrate diets is alarming in recent years.  Even scarier is the fact that these diets can cause harsh long-term complications such as making weight loss even harder.

Carbohydrates are the essential energy source that all athletes need in order to maintain the stamina to work out.  Without this vital energy, it is much easier for injuries to occur from exhaustion as well as body strain.  This is never an advisable outcome, but sadly, it occurs much more often in recent years.  A proper diet for an athlete involves consuming quite a few carbohydrates.

Typically, the amount of carbohydrates that are required to be consumed by athletes is much higher than the amount required for people who are sedative.  The proper amount of carbohydrates that each athlete needs varies greatly with some requiring much more than others.  To determine the exact amount of carbohydrate consumption that you should personally aim for it is important to talk to your sports medicine doctor.

There are times when athletes are especially encouraged to increase their carbohydrate intake, this is especially common during tournaments, competitions and if you are engaging in more than one sport at the time.  This is to ensure that your body has enough energy to handle the rigors that you are placing upon it during especially strenuous activities.  In addition, there are other times when your doctor may recommend cutting back carbohydrate consumption, however all serious adjustments to your diet should be carefully monitored by your sports medicine team to ensure that you are getting the proper nutrients.

As the number of fad diets appearing on the markets increases, it is especially important to listen to what your doctor says about your diet.  Athletes are recommended to store as much as 15 grams per kilogram of body weight in the form of carbohydrates.  This translates into as much as 15 grams for every 2.2 pounds.  For an average 180-pound athlete this translates into as much as 1227 grams of carbohydrates.

In terms of how carbohydrates are related to calories, it is easiest to use the following conversion.  One gram of carbohydrates translates into four calories of energy.  This means that for our example of the 180-pound athlete, the 1227 grams of carbohydrates they should consume would equal as much as 4909 calories.  This is an enormous number for most people; however, there are some athletes that would require higher calorie intake while other would be able to handle much lower intake levels.  Ultimately, it is up to you working with your doctor to determine the best level for your individual needs.

Remember, cutting back on carbohydrate levels can be quite damaging to the body.  If your body is not consuming enough carbohydrates, then the body starts using protein as energy.  This can be dangerous because protein is designed to help fuel your muscles and provide the muscle mass for the body, rather than simply providing energy for the body.  The end result for many who are not consuming enough carbohydrates is an overall weakened condition and less energy to actively engage in the sport of their choice.

An important consideration is who is giving you the advice on your dietary needs.  Many coaches do not always know the most up to date nutrition information.  This makes it highly risky to simply take a coaches word about how much you should be consuming each day in calories and carbohydrates.  In order to achieve the best results possible you can consult with your coach as well as your doctor to work out the best possible solution that has both your fitness goals, athletic goals and your health goals in mind.

Keeping your own personal health as the top priority is vital to ensuring you are as healthy as possible.  Remember, it is sometimes necessary to adjust your carbohydrate consumption however; it should always be done with a doctor’s supervision to ensure that you are not potentially damaging your body or your overall health.  Your physical safety is a much greater consideration that reducing your carbohydrate intake.

Appropriate Eating Habits Before Competitions

Appropriate Eating Habits Before Competitions

As athletes work to prepare for competitions and tournaments, it is very important that nutritional needs be met.  This includes both in eating habits, what is consumed, and when it is eaten.  The old saying that you should not eat before swimming is a very real concern for athletes regardless of which sport they are involved in. 

In order to allow the body to fully convert the good foods that you are eating into energy it needs time.  The amount of time it needs varies depending on the exact foods that you are eating but the process is certainly not instant.  In order to achieve the best results it is ideal if you break up your eating habits before competitions and try to limit the amount of food that you are eating right before engaging in sports.  For example, if you are going to be running track at 10a.m. you should not eat anything after 9:30a.m.  unless it is an emergency.  This allows your stomach time to start converting the food you consumed into energy.

While it is necessary to drink liquids during a work out it is also essential to know what foods are safe before a work out.  In order to ensure that your athletic experience goes as smoothly as possible you should always consult your sports medicine doctor for specifics based upon your body type, athletic activity and any other variables that are specific to you.  In the meantime, there are some general guidelines that are acceptable to use and can assist in helping you ensure that you are ready to go.

Before you exercise, you should look at eating about 4 hours before your exercise.  This means a real meal with components from all of the food groups.  This does not mean simply snacking on an energy bar, or even an apple.  Instead, it should be a complete meal, this may require you to adjust your workout schedule to better coordinate with your eating habits, or if your schedule handles it better adjust our eating habits around your workout schedule.  Either way, it is important to eat a full meal 4 hours before your work out.

Once you are finished eating it is a good idea to eat a snack or even an energy drink that is loaded with carbohydrates.  This gives your body an extra burst.  It is best to look into this high carbohydrate snack about 2 hours before your workout.  Remember, worrying about the calories you are consuming is not as important as ensuring that you are giving your body the fuel that it needs to function.  In addition, about one hour before your workout looking into a sports drink is a really good idea.  Following this schedule should have your body well stocked with plenty of energy to handle the rigors of your workout.

In the time immediately before a workout or even a competition of any type it is best to stick to small foods that are healthy and offer high amounts of carbohydrates.  Examples include fruits, fruit juice, vegetable juices, and even sports drinks are all healthy choices that keep your energy levels full.  They are also light enough that they will not cause any problems with your stomach while you are engaged in your athletic activity.

In addition to eating the healthy foods, sports medicine doctors also recommend consuming something sugary approximately 45 minutes before any highly strenuous activities.  This includes candy bars, energy bars, and even some soft drinks.  Keeping your energy levels up is not always a simple task but if you focus more on your energy levels and less on the calorie intake that you are consuming your body will appreciate it once you are moving and using the stores of energy. 

Remember, limiting the amount of sugar that you consume is best since it only gives you energy for the initial start to the activity.  The carbohydrates that you consumed before will provide you with the long-term energy that you need to be successful.  With some careful planning it is possible to work with your sports medicine doctor and coach and decide exactly what your best eating routine is to keep you in top notch shape.