Tag: prevention

  • The skinny on sore throats

    The skinny on sore throats

    The skinny on sore throats

    Ways to soothe and prevent

    How to manage a sore throat

    Gargling with salt water hourly at the first sign may help reduce pain and inflammation. Stay home if sick, avoid irritants, and use a cool mist vaporizer if dry air worsens symptoms. Keep hydrated and rest. Warm drinks like tea with honey can soothe the throat.

    Viral or bacterial?

    Most sore throats—about 90 percent—are caused by viruses. Viral infections often accompany symptoms like runny nose and cough, while bacterial infections tend to be more painful and may cause fever and swollen lymph nodes. Bacterial infections, such as strep throat, require a swab and possibly antibiotics. It’s important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis, as antibiotics only work against bacterial infections and do not treat viruses.

    Using antibiotics unnecessarily can pose health risks. They can cause side effects like rash, nausea, diarrhea, and yeast infections, and more serious issues include <Clostridioides diffcile> infection (also known as C. diffcile or C. diff), which causes diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage. Overuse or misuse of antibiotics also contributes to antibiotic resistance, a growing global health concern. Bacteria that become resistant no longer respond to these drugs, making infections harder to treat. The World Health Organization reports that antimicrobial resistance was responsible for over 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019.

    Most sore throats will resolve on their own with home care. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe, last more than two days, or if you notice white or red patches on your tonsils, a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, or a rash.

    Prevention tips

    Supporting a healthy immune system through a diet rich in whole foods, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can help prevent sore throats. Good hygiene practices, especially frequent handwashing, are essential to avoid catching or spreading infections.

    By Joanne Peters

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Beat the relentless cold

    Beat the relentless cold

    Beat the relentless cold

    End the cycle

    When it comes to colds, most of us find solace in knowing that our sore throat or cough will be over quickly. But for some unlucky people, the prolonged suffering often called the “never-ending cold” may continue for weeks or months. Fortunately, these remedies and strategies might just help you feel back to normal in no time.

    The cold, harsh facts

    There are more than 200 viruses that cause colds, including rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV). The typical cold lasts one week but may last longer in children, the elderly, and those in poor health.

    The average adult gets two to four colds per year, while children average six to eight colds annually. Colds are typically characterized by congestion, coughing, reduced sense of taste and smell, runny nose, sneezing, and scratchy throat.

    Preventing colds

    It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle that promotes respiratory and immune health. There are some simple things you can do to help avoid getting colds:

    • Regularly wash your hands.
    • Avoid touching your eyes and nose.
    • Avoid smoking or vaping.
    • Exercise regularly.
    • Drink plenty of water or hydrating fluids.
    • Reduce sugar intake.
    • Eat plentiful amounts of vegetables.

    Treating the relentless cold

    If your suffering seems unending, consult a physician to determine whether other opportunistic infections, such as bronchitis or ear or sinus infections, may have taken hold. This is especially important if you suffer from a chronic condition like asthma. If you experience a high fever, ear pain, or unusually severe cold symptoms, it’s best to consult a physician.

    Chat with your primary health provider before trying any new supplement. Natural remedies that are thought to be hard-hitters against cold viruses include the following.

    • Curcumin. The yellow pigment that gives curries their signature yellow color has potent antiviral properties.
    • Echinacea. One of the most widely used herbs in the world, echinacea acts as an immune stimulant and antimicrobial agent.
    • Elderberry. This is an important traditional medicine, long used by the Indigenous peoples of North America.
    • Garlic. A culinary herb of choice and a popular traditional herb for the treatment of the common cold.
    • Ginger. Fresh ginger has long been used to ease the symptoms of the common cold.
    • Panax ginseng. Korean red (panax) ginseng has antiviral effects.
    • Quercetin. A type of flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables, quercetin has been found, in cell studies, to be a potent antiviral agent, inhibiting viral replication of several respiratory viruses.
    • Vitamin C. Long-term supplementation with vitamin C has been shown to help shorten the duration of symptoms in those who are infected with respiratory viruses.
    • Vitamin D. Research over many decades has solidified the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels for immune health to protect against viral infections.
    • Zinc. Important for the body’s ability to fight off viral and bacterial invaders, zinc is found in cells throughout the body.

    By Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Men’s health roadmap

    Men’s health roadmap

    Men’s health roadmap

    Navigate lifelong wellness

    Being happier and healthier for longer requires a proactive approach to men’s health and well-being. Although there is no “fountain of youth,” there are steps that can be taken for men to navigate the life course in the most positive trajectory possible.

    An ounce of prevention

    Preventive medicine is becoming an increasingly important feature of the health care system. In contrast to traditional approaches in which severe symptoms present and the disorder is treated, if one can take steps to mitigate the risk of a disorder presenting in the first place (or to catch it early), everybody wins.

    At an individual level, the person avoids becoming ill and avoids personal and professional costs associated with that illness. At a population level, the health care system avoids unnecessary burden and the general well-being of the population may be increased.

    Even if one takes every preventive measure possible, there will likely be instances in which one may become ill. Being in tune with your body and recognizing when things have changed is an important way to be able to catch and treat things early.

    If something doesn’t feel right or something has changed, particularly if it’s having a negative impact on your ability to do your job or is affecting personal relationships, reach out to a physical or mental health professional.

    A pound of implementation

    Recommendations for living a long and healthy life are straightforward, but the implementation of those principles is less so. Eating a healthy and balanced diet, taking exercise, avoiding smoking, and drinking in moderation are things that most of us will have heard are good for one’s health.

    Fewer of us have an easy time integrating this advice into our lives. Many people get bogged down in having the “perfect diet” or the “perfect exercise regimen.” It’s unclear what exactly these “perfect” protocols are.

    What is clear is that doing something is better than doing nothing and that often the best diet and exercise program is the one to which you’ll actually adhere. As well, incrementally improving over time is an excellent way to continue to reap the benefits of diet and exercise.

    By taking a proactive approach to health at any age, men can stack the odds in their favor that they’ll enjoy a long and fulfilling life.

    Check up frequently and often

    As men grow older, their risk of developing a number of age-related disorders increases, so it’s critically important to ensure that any changes in your health are being monitored and that issues are being addressed as they arise. If you feel unwell, see a medical professional. If you haven’t had a regular checkup for a while, make it a priority to schedule one.

    By Theodore D. Cosco, PhD (Cantab) CPsychol

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Don’t Let Flu Season SCARE You!

    Don’t Let Flu Season SCARE You!

    Don’t Let Flu Season SCARE You

    Boiron is here to help!

    ‘Tis the season to keep your medicine cabinet stocked with products that help you and your family feel well and stay healthy. Thankfully, Boiron’s homeopathic medicines do just the trick! Made with natural, non-drowsy ingredients, you will feel the relief day and night with multi-symptom and targeted solutions for the whole family. Want to know more information about some of their cold and flu relief products? Keep reading – and who knows, you might just find additional tips from Boiron themself!

    Wherever You Go, Take Oscillo!

    Oscillococcinum® (also known as Oscillo) works best when taken at the first sign of flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, body aches, chills and fever.

    For everyone ages 2 & up, non-drowsy Oscillococcinum® has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce both the duration and the severity of flu-like symptoms.

    They Have Kid-Friendly Options Too!

    Multi-symptom formulas help target more than just your runny nose or cough! Their Chestal® line is available in easy on-the-go meltaway pellets and sweet-tasting syrups.

    Medicine Cabinet Must Haves

    Their ThroatCalm®, ColdCalm® and SinusCalm® products are specifically designed to help relieve specific symptoms at the onset, established and resolution stages of the common cold.

    BOO!

    Don’t be scared, you found Boiron’s additional tips to help keep you healthy this cold & flu season.

    Photo Courtesy of Boiron’s Instagram
    Photo Courtesy of Boiron’s Instagram

    For more information about Boiron and their products, please visit: https://www.boironusa.com/

    *Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.