Health Matters

Questions about Medical and Health Issues

We’ve assembled a team of medical professionals and experts -- all of them with a keen interest in our sport -- to address the issues in your questions about medical and health topics related to cycling. From head (ophthalmologist) to toe (podiatrist), your health matters, and -- as always -- we’ll do our best to provide information RBR readers can use to improve and enjoy cycling even more.

To submit your question, click Health Matters.

Does Cycling Put me in Danger of Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Question: I'm in my 50s, a lifelong cyclist doing 175 -200 miles per week. As a result of earlier trauma to the lower leg and varicose veins, three years ago I had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that resulted in pulmonary embolisms (PE). Luckily the PEs were not big and I was soon back to riding while on Coumadin. Two weeks ago I got another DVT in the same leg, but caught it before it became a PE. I was doing a long, hard climbing ride on a hot day and was dehydrated, which might have contributed.

I've just started riding again, short miles, and I feel good although with some mild vein aches in that leg. I'm on Coumadin again and wearing compression. I've found very little info online about cycling and DVTs, and no scientific studies about it.  Does cycling put me in danger? -- Dave C.

How Do I Remedy Sit Bone Saddle Sores?

Questions: I have been suffering from what I call saddle sores or pressure "lumps." I have changed saddles 3 times this season and just changed to some new shorts. I have also used a whole slew of chamois creams. In addition, I’ve had my fit checked, which was OK. While I have seen some improvement, beyond a few hours in the saddle I get pain in my sit bone area with associated redness and swelling that often keeps me off the bike for days. I really don’t know where to turn at this point. -- Rob P.

Detached Retinas in Distance Cyclists

Question: It seems from the relatively small population of distance cyclists I know that there are a disproportionate number of people who have experienced detached retinas. I wonder if there has been any correlation research or conclusions? I experienced a detachment in 2003 which prevented me from traveling to France for PBP that year, and have heard of 2-3 other Randonneurs who have had similar experiences. -- Tom K.

Companion eBooks & eArticles

By Coach Andrew Pruitt, Ed.D.
$14.95

By Alan Bragman, D.C.
$4.99

Health conditions that can affect road bike riding performance.

By Coach Arnie Baker, M.D.
$4.99

What Should I Do for Post-Ride Recovery?

Question: I feel like I've gotten very contradictory advice about what to do at the end of a training ride. Nutritionists say the top priority is to prepare and eat a meal within 30 minutes, to get carbs and protein into the bloodstream before the glycogen window closes. Physicians advise that the first order of business is to get those shorts off and immediately hit the shower, to reduce any chance of bacterial infection and the resulting saddle sores. Physical therapists assert the importance of doing post-ride stretching exercises as soon as possible, before one's muscles cool off and tighten up. What my body tells me, however, is to pass out for 20-30 minutes while my heart rate and body temperature return to more moderate levels. All four of these might be important, but realistically you can't fit more than one or two of them into the first 30 minutes after a ride. What's the real relative priority (and preferred sequence) of these recovery tasks, and which can be put off for an hour or two? -- Ornoth from Boston

Tail Bone Discomfort

Question: My wife (age 75) is just starting to ride. She has a new hybrid bike, with a comfort bike-type seat. We want to ride the Katy Trail (250 miles) this October, about 40 miles per day. We have started a training program. She complains of "tail-bone" pain after about 5-6 miles. She thinks she needs more seat padding or a gel-seat cover. Suggestions, please. – Bruce R.

Wearing Sunscreen Under a Jersey

Question:  My wife thinks that with the time we spend on our long rides (6-8 hours), always including the strongest sun of the day, we should be putting sunscreen on underneath our jerseys. There are very few cycling jerseys that explicitly list the ability to filter UVA/B rays. Should we be coating our upper backs before we do our next century and reduce our melanoma risk? Or are the artificial fibers used in our jerseys opaque enough to keep us safe? -- Peter B.

What Does “Athlete’s Heart” Mean?

Question:  I'm 65 and been at it hard for umteen years and competing in my age division with success until recently. Why the demise? I have a problem with the ticker -- arrhythmia. My cardiologist calls it 'athlete's heart.' With this arrhythmia there was no real symptom other than the workouts feel harder and the race results weren't as usual. My condition and treatment are still being assessed, and I might be in for an ablation process to reconnect the heart's circuitry. I thought this experience might be of interest to your other readers. -- Rob D.