Q. I enjoy going on regular runs, but my husband is worried that I don’t warm up beforehand. Is it really important to warm up before a run, and what types of stretches or dynamic movements are most effective to prepare my body and help prevent injury?
A. Yes, you still need to warm up. The goal of a warm-up is to gradually prepare your muscles, joints, heart, and lungs for more intense activity. Even if your body already feels loose, your muscles still need that gradual buildup of blood flow and movement to reduce your risk of strains, sprains, or worse. A good warm-up also gives you a moment to check in with your body and stay alert to signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion. Start with a few minutes of light movement like walking, arm circles, or bodyweight squats. You can also incorporate dynamic stretching, and if comfortable, static stretching to your routine. Choose shaded areas when you can, and ease into higher intensity slowly. And don’t forget: a warm-up is also a good time to make sure you’re hydrated and not pushing through any dizziness or nausea – those are warning signs, not something to power through.
L. Shay Richardson, MD
Sports Medicine Physician, Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics
Learn More: Warm Ups: Prevent Sports Injuries; Way to Warm Up!
Q. I’ve been under a large amount of stress lately and noticed rashes appearing on various areas of my skin. What can I do to manage stress hives?
A. Stress can play a significant role in triggering or worsening hives. When your body is under stress, it can release chemicals like histamine that lead to itchy rashes. While stress management is important, treatment usually focuses on keeping symptoms under control so hives don’t disrupt your daily life. Daily, non-sedating antihistamines are often very effective, and doses can be adjusted under an allergist’s guidance. Healthy habits such as regular exercise, good sleep, relaxation techniques, and counseling may also help reduce flare-ups. If hives persist or worsen, an allergist can evaluate you to rule out other causes and design a personalized treatment plan. For those who don’t respond to antihistamines, Xolair (omalizumab) may be recommended. This injectable treatment calms the immune response and many patients see major improvement within weeks.
Marc Cromie, MD
Double Board-Certified Allergist, Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
Learn More: Skin, Hair, and Stress; Stress and Your Physical Health
Q. I’ve been told that staying friends after a breakup is a bad idea, and I don’t want to cause further emotional damage to myself or my ex. From a professional standpoint, is being friends with an ex unhealthy?
A. Therapists are famous for the following response when clients ask us how to proceed with a situation: “It depends.” Consider these questions: 1) What are the circumstances around the breakup? If there was infidelity or any type of abuse, then it is probably unhealthy to continue the friendship. However, if the reason that you broke up was that you saw your lives going in two different directions, then it wouldn’t be unhealthy to stay friends. 2) What do you have in common other than physical attraction? If the answer is, “not much,” then continuing in a friend relationship may not be possible, much less healthy. 3) Did the relationship have some green flags? If not, then from what can you build a friendship? If there are several, then proceed cautiously.
Brittney Lord, LPC-MHSP
Counselor and Outreach Coordinator, Roots Counseling Center
Learn More: Relationship Red Flags
Q. My younger sister has never had a mammogram. What should I tell her to expect during the exam to help ease her nerves?
A. Preparing for a mammogram is quick and simple. Arrive without deodorant (aluminum in the deodorant shows on the mammogram and can make it more difficult to interpret). You will undress from the waist up and wear a gown that opens to the front, and a mammography tech will ask you several questions before taking you into the exam room. While many dread the process, a mammogram usually causes only slight discomfort. It is important to allow the mammography tech to apply enough compression for a great diagnostic image, but the images don’t take long to acquire at all! Once you are done, you are free to go. It is a really simple screening process that saves lives! Adrian M. Miller, MD, DABR
Adrian M. Miller, MD, DABR
Board-Certified Radiologist, Hamilton Medical Center
Q. My son has an infection on his leg that is swollen and red, and it appears to be a mild form of cellulitis. Can this go away on its own, or does cellulitis always require treatment? How do I know when he needs antibiotics?
A. Mild cellulitis usually requires treatment with antibiotics and generally does not go away on its own. While your immune system may be able to fight off a very mild case, cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can spread quickly if untreated – so even mild symptoms should be taken seriously. Common symptoms include redness, swelling, and warmth in a localized area of skin; tenderness or pain; and possibly some mild fever or fatigue (though not always). You should seek medical attention if you have increasing redness, swelling, or warmth; pain that’s getting worse; fever or chills; no improvement after 24-48 hours; red streaks near the affected area (a sign the infection may be spreading through lymphatic vessels); or an underlying condition that weakens your immune system (like diabetes). Don’t wait too long – cellulitis can worsen fast. Even if it looks mild, you should have it evaluated by a healthcare provider, especially if symptoms aren’t improving within 24-48 hours. Todd Rudolph, MD, CMO
Todd Rudolph, MD, CMO
Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director, AFC Urgent Care of East Tennessee and Dalton, GA
