Yesterday we answered three common questions about the physical toll marathon running has on the body as the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon nears closer.
Today, University of Minnesota Physicians primary care specialist Grant Morrison, M.D., assistant professor with the University of Minnesota Medical School, Family Medicine and Community Health, and associate medical director for the Twin Cities Marathon, will answer some final questions.
What should a runner do if they get sick from running a marathon?
Many illnesses will improve simply with rest and nutrition. However, runners must guard carefully against any number of serious injuries.
Post-race, people should see their doctor if their illness seems to be getting worse, particularly if a runner cannot hold down fluids and is vomiting or having diarrhea. Runners do not get the flu while running, so a flu-like illness after a marathon that does not improve quickly with rest requires medical evaluation.
Chest pain during a race should not be ignored, particularly in a runner who has risk factors for heart diseases such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a family history or even a personal history of heart problems.
