In a perfect world, your mind and body would be in peak physical condition, working like a machine without the assistance of any kind of medication, supplement, or athletic accessory. Unfortunately, the world is far from perfect.
It isn’t uncommon for athletes to take medication while practicing, exercising, and competing. In many cases, it’s perfectly safe, but in others, it isn’t. It’s important to understand the potential dangers of playing sports while taking medication so you can safeguard your health.
Don’t Ignore the Underlying Problem
It isn’t uncommon for athletes to need pain medication from time to time. Certain sports can be hard on the body, and medication can help lessen the pain so you can continue playing. Just make sure you aren’t masking the pain without fixing the underlying problem.
For example, a few Advil may help lessen back pain, but it’s important to consider what’s causing your back to hurt in the first place. If you don’t, you’re just covering up the problem, allowing it to get worse.
By all means, take medication as needed, but schedule an appointment with your doctor so you can fix the problem and ultimately stop taking those pain meds.
Side Effects
There are consequences for taking any kind of drug, no matter how innocent it seems. Every medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, has the potential to cause some side effects. Some are worse than others, but they can definitely affect your workout routine.
Some common side effects include:
- Nausea and upset stomach: Any medication that is ingested has the potential to make you feel sick to your stomach, and exercising can exacerbate the sensation.
- Drowsiness: Medication, like Benadryl, can make you extremely tired, which can cause you to perform less than your best on the field.
- Tendon ruptures: Some common antibiotics used to treat urinary infections can increase your risks of a tendon rupture.
If you experience any of these or other side effects after taking medication, it’s a good idea to wait on the sidelines until the medication has run its course.
Know When to Take It Easy
Getting sick is an athlete’s worst nightmare. It can affect training and your performance if you’re ill during a big game. You can play and practice when you’re ill, but you have to know when to take it easy.
If your symptoms are above the neck, it’s probably okay to keep pushing yourself with the help of the right medication. Just be careful if you’re taking a decongestant with pseudoephedrine as it can elevate your heart rate.
If your symptoms are below the neck, you should probably rest as these kinds of symptoms can be an indication that your body is experiencing a serious illness, like the flu.
When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to ask your doctor if you can keep playing or if you should rest. They can help you balance your health and your exercise routine so you can get the most out of your performance on the field.