Energy drinks no way to hydrate kids
Q: My 13-year-old son Angus is playing soccer, lacrosse and basketball. I want to make sure he stays hydrated, but I have heard that energy drinks can cause kids problems. What’s the best drink for him, and how much should he consume? — Brenda H., Nyack, N.Y.
A: Let’s start by making a distinction between energy drinks and sports drinks. Energy drinks, those pick-meups marketed as quick hits of rocket fuel, are not for kids. A single 2-ounce energy shot might contain as much caffeine as four cups of coffee. A recent study found that children who drink them are 66 percent more likely to exhibit hyperactivity and inattention in school. More worrisome is a Mayo Clinic study which recently reported that young adults who don’t consume caffeine regularly see a significant spike in blood pressure after consuming “a commercially available energy drink.”
Sports drinks are a little different. They generally contain electrolytes and minerals like calcium and potassium that are lost when you sweat. But many also contain sucrose, fructose, bad-for-you HFCS and plain old cane sugar in quantities that are way, way above what the body needs. So skip the sports drinks that contain sugar unless you’re doing more than two hours of continuous physical activity.
Drink water throughout the day. Serve a breakfast of 100 percent whole grains, lean protein and fresh fruit and provide snacks like no-sugaradded natural peanut butter, nuts, bananas, celery, fresh fruit and vegetable juice. Sugar-free sports drinks will keep him hydrated for activities that take less than two hours.
Q: My sister went through a bout of shingles that went on for weeks. Nothing seemed to make her feel better! What are you supposed to do if you get shingles? — Kathrine D., Albany, N.Y.
A: Shingles, or herpes zoster, is an unpleasant condition for which there isn’t any cure. If you get to a doctor within 72 hours of the first signs, receiving an antiviral medication such as acyclovir can shorten the duration and ease symptoms. Sometimes prescription pain meds or corticosteroids are helpful. You also can cool the rash and blisters with ice packs or calamine lotion.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus that also causes chickenpox. Once you’ve had chickenpox, the dormant virus hides in certain nerve cells. It can get reawakened because of a weakened immune system. The reactivation triggers itchy, stabbing pain under the skin. After a few days, a rash appears which can turn into painful blisters. Fortunately, for most folks, the symptoms go away after a few weeks.
The CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for people 60 plus. We believe that everyone over 50 should get it and get it again 10 years later. But your best defense, in addition to getting the vaccine, is to keep your immune system strong. Get seven to eight hours of sleep nightly; eat a diet that includes five to nine servings of fruits and veggies daily, 100 percent whole grains and lean protein such as salmon and ocean trout; take 10,000 steps a day; and get 30 minutes of strength training two to three days a week. Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare.com.