Clinics in sports medicine
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For the athlete, not only can pulmonary disorders cause significant alterations in training schedules or even prolonged stoppages, they can be life-threatening. Infectious diseases such as acute bronchitis, influenza, and pneumonia conspire to disrupt exercise regimens. ⋯ Obstructive sleep apnea not only causes disruptive symptoms but can be associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and even mortality. This article addresses the most common pulmonary conditions athletes face and provides a framework for the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
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Gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses are common in athletes. Various causes include adverse physiologic adaptations of the gut during exercise; excess ingestion of carbohydrate drinks, alcohol, and anti-inflammatory medications; emotional stressors; exposure to pathogens in closed environments and during travel; trauma; and abdominal wall pressure overload. Unfortunately, evidence-based management of GI illnesses in athletes is limited because most studies have compared various GI illnesses between different sports, rather than comparing athletes to nonathletes. This article reviews the evidence that is available specifically relating to etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, relevant differential diagnoses, acute management, and recommendations for specialist consultation of various GI illnesses in the training-room setting.
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Neurological conditions are common in athletes. Trauma can cause direct central (eg, concussion or hemorrhage) or peripheral (eg, stinger) injury. ⋯ This article reviews assessment and initial management of head injury, stingers, seizures, and headaches. Return-to-play criteria are also discussed.
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This article examines environmental illness in athletes. Causes, symptoms, and treatment of heat-related illness, cold-related illness, and altitude-related illness are discussed.