Ask the Doctor: Antihistamines; Cardiac Rehabilitation; Soy Milk vs. Cow’s Milk
Q: What are antihistamines, and which ones are most likely to make me sleepy?
A: Antihistamines are medications that reduce or block histamine, a chemical produced by the body during an allergic reaction. Antihistamines may also be used as sedatives and sleep aids, and they are found in some cold and cough remedies. Most antihistamine drugs are available over the counter (OTC); they come in various forms, including tablets, liquids, nasal sprays or gels, and eye drops.
Allergy symptoms, including sneezing and itchy, watery eyes, occur when your body is trying to rid itself of an allergen—a substance that produces an allergic reaction. A variety of substances can cause allergic reactions; pollen, stings or bites from insects, pet dander, and certain foods are some common allergens.
There are two types of antihistamines: “first-generation,” which may cause drowsiness, and “second generation,” which usually do not cause drowsiness. Examples of medications that contain first-generation antihistamines include Benadryl®, Dimetapp®, Chlor-Trimeton®. Sleep aids that contain antihistamines include Nytol®, Unisom®, NyQuil®, and Sominex®. Second-generation antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin®), ctirizine (Zyrtec®), and fexofenadine (Allegra®).
Antihistamines can interact with other medications, and they can make some health conditions worse. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or glaucoma, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe for you to take antihistamines.
For many people, antihistamines provide relief from mild to moderate allergy symptoms. However, if you have a severe allergic reaction (swelling in your throat, lips, tongue or face, feeling as if you are choking or unable to breathe, severe itching and/or hives), seek medical care immediately, as these symptoms may be fatal if they are not treated quickly.
Q: I recently had heart surgery, and my doctor has referred me to a cardiac rehabilitation program. However, it will be difficult for me to get to the program, and it’s about 30 miles away. Can I achieve similar results by doing an exercise program at home?
A: It is very unlikely that you will reap the same benefits from an at-home program as you will from a cardiac rehab program. One component of cardiac rehab is doing exercises that will strengthen your heart, and the rehab staff can determine which exercises at what duration and intensity will provide the most benefit while monitoring your safety.
In addition to exercise, a cardiac rehab program includes education and counseling on how to address various cardiac risk factors. For example, you will learn how to improve your diet, and you’ll learn why it’s important for heart health to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control, as well as some strategies that will help you do so. The rehab staff also may provide guidance and strategies for dealing with depression and anxiety, which are common in patients who have had heart surgery. Bottom line: A cardiac rehab program is far superior to an in-home exercise program; please make every effort to participate in the program your doctor advised.
Q: How does soymilk compare with cow’s milk in protein and calcium content?
A: Soymilk contains 7.9 grams of protein per cup—slightly less than 1% milk’s 8.5 grams per cup. Unfortified soymilk has a much lower calcium content (61 milligrams per cup) than all of the varieties of cow’s milk, which provide about 300 milligrams of calcium per cup, or about 25 percent of the recommended daily intake for women ages 51 and older. If you’re replacing cow’s milk with soymilk, choose brands that contain added calcium.
—Editor-in-Chief Orli R. Etingin
The post Ask the Doctor: Antihistamines; Cardiac Rehabilitation; Soy Milk vs. Cow’s Milk appeared first on University Health News.
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