Author name: Michelle

COLDS AND FLU : PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

There is a respiratory  tract  condition that occurs so frequently that is been called as the COMMON COLD. Most of us are familiar with its runny nose, sore throat, headache, fever, sneezing, and general sick feeling.

Slightly less common is influenza or the flu. It is often quite difficult to differentiate this illness from a common cold. However it differs in its abrupt onset, shorter duration and more severe fever, muscle aches, chills and fatigue.

 

Simple and Easy Tips To Help You Prevent a Cold or Flu

• Avoid exposure to infected individuals.
• Don’t strain your brain. Mental fatigue, emotional distress, and physical exhaustion will invite colds and the flu.
• Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables

• Get enough rest and sleep. Eight hours sleep is the average that most of us will need. Sleeping enough is more important than what most of us think we need to stay healthy.
• A daily dose of essential fatty acids
• When the air become dry, use a humidifier

What To Eat & Do When You Have a Cold or Flu

• Stay away from caffeine such as coffee, black tea, chocolate, cocoa
• Refrain from taking alcohol
• Reduce sugar, all forms of sugar whether is brown sugar or white sugar or maple syrup or even honey. You can have some when you are better but not when you are sick
• If you must drink fruit juices, dilute them half with water. Contrary to what most of us have been told, orange juice do not cure a cold, but actually will make it worse.
• Eat only when you are hungry. Listen to your body.
• Drink plenty of fluids like water, herbal tea, fresh vegetable juice
• Consume plenty of vitamin C rich foods such as tomatores, broccoli, green peppers and kiwi.
• Supplement with at least 1000mg vitamin C tablet every few hours.
• Avoid iron when you are ill.
• Take naps and sleep longer at night too as your body need the rest to heal.

• Cut down on physical exhaustion. Only exercise if you feel up to it. This is not a time to train for a marathon       .
• Practice being lazy. Keep your work load to a minimum level, if possible. Delegate any extra tasks out so you can take it easy. If you can, take medical leave and stay home to rest.
• If you are coughing or having dry throat, vaporize your air by adding few drops of eucalyptus oil, a glob of Vicks or any other chest rub containing eucalyptus. Not only will the warm steam help to ease you but the smell of eucalyptus will aid your breathing.

What To Lookout When You Have Cold or Flu

• Extreme breathing problems, chest pain and wheezing
• Sudden or unrelenting diarrhea or vomiting
• Extremely painful headache
• Stiff neck, especially if you feel pain upon bending
• Dark looking urine or very light colored stools
• Yellow eyes or skin
• If your illness last more than a week without any noticeable improvement
• If you have the above symptoms, you need to consult your doctor immediately.

 

Hope this article has helped you in gaining a better understanding of common cold or flu and how best to manage it when it does strike you.  Feel free to share this with your loved ones and like this article.