QUESTION: I would like you to write about fungus under the fingernails, as I have it in four of my fingers. Two doctors said to forget it and live with it, since internal medication is too dangerous.
Please tell me what to do. Do you agree with them, or is there something I can do for myself? - R.Y.ANSWER: Fungal infection of the nails is not on my top 10 list of ailments I like to treat. It can take a long time for the medicine to get down into the nail bed to rid it of the organisms and permit growth of new healthy nail.
The medicine to which your doctor refers is griseofulvin. Certainly, it has side effects that you would rather avoid if possible. However, many people can take it long enough to work on the fungus.
If you find the present situation intolerable, it is time to sit down with a doctor and learn about the medicine, which is really not the most toxic kind you can take. The doctor will ask you to come in for further tests, and then both of you can make the decision together.
However, be prepared for long treatment, at least four months for fingernails, six months for toenails. And that's a rosy prediction. For the nails booklet, write to Dr. Donohue/No. 22, P.O. Box 19660, Irvine, CA 92713-0660, enclosing a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope and $1.
QUESTION: What is the lowest athletic heartbeat you have heard of? My resting heartbeat is 44 per minute. Is this good or bad? Most of the time I run 10 miles a day three times a week just to stay in physical condition. I am 47 and haven't been sick a day in my life except for a cold about once every five years. - N.N.
ANSWER: The lowest healthy resting heart rate I know of is 38 beats per minute. A low rate in athletes generally indicates excellent health. It means their hearts beat fewer times while still having the force to serve the body's circulation needs. Hearts must be well developed to do that. Congratulations on your apparent superb conditioning. It will serve you well throughout life. In fact, a conditioning program much less ambitious than yours serves well. For the booklet Introduction to Fitness write Dr. Donohue/No.12, P.O. Box 19660, Irvine, CA 92713-0660, enclosing a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope and $1.50.
QUESTION: I was wondering if there is any benefit in girls lifting weights for basketball. I've watched girls coming up through the grades play, and it seems a lot of good shooters lose it once they get to junior varsity level. And that coincides with beginning of weightlifting. Also, when is the latest you should start the girls lifting for best advantage in the season? - L.B.
ANSWER: Basketball coaches once thought that weights would make players (male or female) musclebound and awkward. Not true. Athletes in all sports need strength, and the way to build that is by challenging muscles with loads beyond those they normally face. If you doubt this, check any issue of the sports and conditioning magazines. Strength improves rebounding, jumping, shooting, and running.
Note: Players should not lift immediately before practice or play. Lifting temporarily affects fine muscle movement. The player may find that he (or she) has lost the shooting "touch" after a workout.
Weight training should go on the year around. During basketball season, cut training sessions to once or twice a week.
C) 1989 North America Syndicate Inc.