Tag: Urine Test

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Weight Loss Exercise

Colonoscopy Tomorrow – Not for me


My wife, Michelle,  has been having a lot of stomach problems over the last few months and diarrhea very often. The problem tends to be in the afternoon with my wife having terrible stomach cramps most afternoons.

We have tried lots of stuff including trying probiotics in case it was a bacteria problem, blood tests, urine test, poo testing. Lots of tests and lots of questioning on both my wife and I on what could be causing these problems. We have looked all over her diet and exercise program thinking that this could be a milk allergy or gluten allergy but after taking these out we realized that my wife may have a problem with lactose in milk and other dairy products so she took all milk related products out of her diet, Gluten tests showed that was really not an issue.

So now we are getting ready for the next test. Tomorrow morning my wife is going in for a Colonoscopy to see if there is some kind of problem with her intestines, colon, or bladder. This is not a comfortable test to get ready for and probably not comfortable tomorrow either, we will see about that.

Getting Ready for a Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy Tomorrow Not for me

Michelle and the Kids

So the prep for the Colonoscopy started a few days ago. Michelle had to drop her daily aspirin (she takes this for blood clot issues she had a few years ago) on Thursday which was 5 days before and anti-inflammatory 3 days before. Now this weekend Michelle had to go to low fiber diet for three days and now today after breakfast no solid foods at all.

For the Colonoscopy tomorrow my wife has to have a completely clear colon so that the camera can see the walls of the colon very clearly and with no obstructions this means that Michelle needs to completely flush her colon for tomorrow morning. To clear the colon she had to take Ducolax pills on Saturday and Sunday nights and then today she needs to take Pico Salax twice tonight and drink 12-16 cups of water between 5pm and midnight. Right now the poor girl is alternating floating from all the water and sitting on the toilet.

I am looking forward to finding out tomorrow if we can get an answer to my wifes problems. She has never had any kind of stomach problems like this and we are both confused as it doesn’t make any sense to either of us. As I am sure you know from my posts here I find confidence within myself that I can find the answers to any health and fitness problems so this last few months have driven me crazy.

I will post tomorrow if we find out anything on this, or probably any news actually.

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Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Watching Athletic Hydration During Summer




Athletic Hydration is a big issue this Summer with temperatures around the country being so high. I am always concerned about hydration when I exercise but in the summer months when it is hard to stay hydrated even when doing nothing it is even more critical to keep your water and electrolytes up.

Proper hydration plays a critical role in athletic performance. Some consequences of dehydration are as follows: cramping, fatigue, dizziness, rapid elevation of body temperature, confusion, fainting, and the inability to sweat (cooling mechanism of the body).

Symptoms of Dehydration

Despite these symptoms obviously hampering athletic performance, they can progress rapidly into heat exhaustion or heat stroke. In order to avoid these serious side effects and increase the ability to perform at top levels, it is essential that not only athletes, but everyone that is exposed to Louisiana temperatures have a clear understanding of how to maintain proper hydration.

When focusing on hydration, it is important to look at some warning signs that the body gives to signal the lack of proper hydration. Thirst is considered by some experts to be an early signal that your body is in need of re-hydration. But according to Nancy Clark in her “Sports Nutrition Guidebook,” athletes may have already lost over a pound and a half of water weight before their thirst mechanism kicks in.

Athletic Hydration Signals

Watching Athletic Hydration During Summer

Athletic Hydration

So it is may be ill-advised to rely on the thirst signal before looking to replenish fluids. Another warning signal of early dehydration is referred to as the Urine Test. Dr. Porche, a long time athletic trainer at the collegiate level, would post dark yellowish/orange sheets of paper in the stalls of the restrooms.

These sheets stated: “If your urine is the color of this paper, you are dehydrated!” That is how he got the message across to athletes about self monitoring for dehydration. According to The Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, normal urine of an adequately hydrated individual would be the color of lemon juice.

Athletic Hydration Tips

The following is a look at what steps need to be taken before, during, and after strenuous activity in order to maintain proper hydration levels:

Encourage athletes to hydrate properly before long periods of activity or exercise in a hot environment.

Consuming at least ½ liter of fluid (about 16 fl oz) two hours before activity provides the fluid needed to achieve optimal hydration and allows enough time for urination of excess fluid. Because rapid absorption is not critical, athletes can choose to drink water or many other beverages.

The question whether consuming caffeinated beverages causes dehydration is often asked. Caffeine increases urine production slightly in athletes not accustomed to it, less in athletes who customarily consume caffeine.