Chief Pharmacist Georgina Twomey: Maybe May...

Maybe May will be the month of finding balance in your exercise/fitness routine. Whether there’s rain or sunshine, there are certainly a lot of opportunities to get your body fit and healthy before winter’s cold and flu season rolls around.

This month’s edition of LIVE+ discusses an array of things, from spine health, muscle pain, muscle recovery, to adult acne. On sunnier days get amongst the outdoors and on more overcast days prioritise rest and recovery.

As we age, our cartilage, bones and muscles start to weaken and cannot support our once perfectly straight spine. If you are experiencing any sort of pain in your body or spine, it’s important to recognise these signs and act sooner rather than later to avoid long term damage. When we exercise, small microscopic tears occur in our muscles. The recovery period can extend from two to three days, or even a week – depending on your workout and age. Other factors that contribute to your recovery is the intensity of your workout, how often you work out, what you eat, whether your body is familiar to the movements, and the amount of time you exercise for.

Another thing to consider when you exercise is your sweat. Your body produces sweat to naturally cool itself down, but it can also cause chafing, jock rash, and the growth of fungus. Wear breathable clothes, wash your workout clothes after every session, and shower straight away to prevent these issues.

Sweat can have a foul smell. To combat body odour, it can be helpful to read your deodorant label. Some products don’t contain antiperspirants – meaning they won’t be as effective at reducing the amount you sweat or covering bad smells. Our pharmacists can always give you advice when breaking a sweat leads to unwanted side effects.

Since the introduction of face masks, we see a lot of people coming into stores with face acne. It’s so common that it has even been given its own name, ‘maskne’. We see a lot of women struggling with maskne due to a build-up of sweat, makeup, and moisture underneath the covered area. This causes the pores on the face to become clogged. Check out pages 14 and 15 for tips on how to treat adult acne. Make the most of the weather this May and listen to your body. Stay healthy and start to enjoy the cooler temperatures that winter is brewing!