Treating Colds and Flu

[Guest guest]

Good Morning!

 

Treating Colds and Flu

 

Colds and the flu or influenza are similar in many ways, yet the flu

can sometimes lead to more serious problems, such as pneumonia. Colds

and flu are the most common and communicable and spread easily

between people. They are more likely to strike when a person's immune

system is low. The common cold is an acute (short-term) viral

infection of the upper respiratory tract.

 

Symptoms of a cold include runny or congested nose, sneezing,

fatigue, headache, body aches, cough and general feeling of malaise.

A sore throat is sometimes a (differential) symptom of a more serious

condition distinct from the common cold (such as strep throat) that

may require medical diagnosis and treatment. A cough can be further

differentiated by the sound of the cough and the ability to expel or

not to expel the phlegm. The color of the phlegm is also looked at.

(See Traditional at

http://www.peacefulmind.com/proacumed.htm).

 

The flu typically affects 20%-50% of the U.S. population each winter.

It's a highly contagious disease, spreading mostly by direct person-

to-person contact and coughing is the most effective method of

transmission. The flu virus can linger in the air for as long as

three hours. In close quarters, conditions are ripe for the spread of

the virus.

 

Symptoms of a flu are very similar to that of a cold, but the signs

of a flu can be much more severe, especially at the oneset. A fever,

characteristicly high (102-104 F); that lasts 3-4 days, a severe

cough that gets worse, with chest discomfort or pain can be signs of

pneumonia. Severe body aches and fever/chills are side effects of the

body doing its job of trying to fight off an infection.

 

Colds can be spread through the air, such as when a person sneezes,

or by contact with contaminated objects.

 

Those most at risk are children in 5 to 14 year range, who spend much

of their time in school, in close contact with their classmates. More

serious complications occur in elderly adults and those with

compromised immune systems.

 

The remedies for a cold or flu are sleeping, resting, plenty of clear

fluids, and avoiding sugar, which will assist your immune system to

recuperate. There is no proven cure for colds or flu, but time.

 

 

Tips For Avoiding A Cold

 

1. Wash your hands often. This is the number one preventative measure

you can take. You can pick up cold germs easily, even when shaking

someone's hand or touching doorknobs or handrails. You should lather

up your hands well for at least 20 seconds, then rinse-off the soap

thoroughly for another 20 seconds. Be sure to include the areas under

you nails when you wash your hands, as they are a lurking ground for

germs. Drying your hands, studies have shown, is also an important

step in removing germs.

 

2. Keep your immune system strong. Get good quality sleep, eat

nutritious food and stay strong with moderate exercise.

 

3. Limit airborn risks by keeping your nose clear and hydrated.

Usually, we infect ourselves by placing our own virus contaminated

hands to our faces. Less frequently, we can catch them from airborne

sources.

 

4. Sneeze or cough into a tissue and then throw the tissue away.

 

5. Clean surfaces you touch with a germ-killing disinfectant.

 

6. Don't touch your nose, eyes, or mouth. Germs can enter your body

easily by these paths.

 

7. Any season is cold and flu season but the most prevelant time

tends to be in the fall and winter, when people are together in close

surroundings.

 

8. Avoid large crowds in enclosed areas as much as possible,

especially during cold and flu season.

 

9. Keep your feet and neck warm. Cold feet and a chilled neck cannot

cause a viral infection. When the feet or neck are cold, cold

contracts, that includes the mucous membranes in the nose. When

mucous membranes contract, they dry out and cause the glands to stop

functioning. This easily allows dust and bacteria in, as the nose

stops it's filtering function, making your entire system more

vulnerable.

 

10. Sometimes even when we do our best to avoid these situations,

they occur regardless. Just being aware is half the battle.

 

 

Antibiotics and Over the Counter Drugs

 

Antibiotics do not kill viruses and they should not be used for colds

or flu. They can treat bacterial complications such as sinus or ear

infections. The overuse of antibiotics has become a very serious

problem, which leads to a resistance in disease-causing bacteria that

may decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics when you really need

them.

 

Children and teenagers with symptoms of flu or chickenpox should not

take aspirin or products containing aspirin or other salicylates. Use

of these products in young flu and chickenpox sufferers has been

associated with Reye syndrome, a rare condition that can be fatal.

Because cold symptoms can be similar to those of the flu, it's best

not to give aspirin to people under 20 with these types of symptoms.

 

Over the counter (OTC) medications are often used for symptom relief.

Here is an explanation of what's on the shelf:

 

Analgesics relieve aches and pains and reduce fever. Examples:

acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen. Warning:

Children and teenagers shouldn't be given aspirin.

 

Antitussives tell your brain to stop coughing. Don't take an

antitussive if you're coughing up mucus. Example: dextromethorphan.

 

Expectorants help thin mucus so it can be coughed up more easily.

Example: guaifenesin.

 

Oral decongestant shrinks the nasal passages and reduce congestion.

Examples: ephedrine, pseudoephedrine.

 

 

 

Managing Your Cold

 

1. Stay home and rest, especially while you have a fever.

 

2. Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, which can make cold

symptoms worse.

 

3. Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit juices and clear soups.

Fluids help loosen mucus. Fluids are also important if you have a

fever because fever can dry up your body's fluids, which can lead to

dehydration.

 

4. Don't drink alcohol.

 

5. Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day to relieve a sore

throat. Throat sprays or lozenges may also help relieve the pain.

 

6. Use saline (salt water) nose drops to help loosen mucus and

moisten the tender skin in your nose.

 

7. Consider supplements such as Vitamin C, 2,000 to 4,000 mg in

divided doses (based on bowel tolerence). Vitamin E compliments C,

400 IU. Echinecea, Goldenseal, Garlic and Licorice root all help in

fighting viruses and strengthening immunity.

 

8. Chicken soup has been shown to have healing properties. Enjoy this

great old remedy.

 

9. Keep washing your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze

and cough in order not to spread the virus to others in your

household.

 

10. Pay attention to good hygiene and skin care. Eat a proper diet.

 

 

For additional nutrition, herbal, aromatherapy and metaphysical

considerations, go here:

 

http://peacefulmind.com/cold_flu.htm

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit

[Guest guest]

Andrew wrote:

 

<The remedies for a cold or flu are sleeping, resting, plenty of clear

fluids, and avoiding sugar, which will assist your immune system to

recuperate. There is no proven cure for colds or flu, but time>

 

Andrew, what do you think of those ads

about the people who are too busy to

rest, so they grab a Dayquil in the morning

and a Niquil at night?

It strikes me as quite wrong, but I'd love

to hear a professional opinion.

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://profiles./free_green_living

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Ien, good morning!

 

Yes, the DayQuil and NiQuil set! In this over stimulated, get it done, needed

it yesterday, push, push, push world we live in, the concept of sleep (or lack

of it) seems to be one of the biggest issues I see in my clinic daily! These

ads play to those that feel it is ok!

 

The " I'll sleep when I'm dead " , attitude seems to be the norm! Burning the

candle at both ends is a recipe for disaster.

 

The use of stimulants, including caffeine, alcohol, nicotine or other

over-the-counter or prescription medications will also cause insomnia.

Prescription drugs, including some antidepressant, high blood pressure and

steroid medications, can interfere with sleep. Many over-the-counter

medications, including some brands of aspirin, decongestants and weight loss

products, contain caffeine and other stimulants. Change in your environment or

work schedule and

even long-term use of sleep medications will actually interrupt your sleep

cycle. Medical problems, including fibromyalgia or complex diseases of the

nerves and muscles can make it very difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.

 

Recuperative sleep is imperative when we are ill and necessary when we are not.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thanks Andrew,

I feel like hurling something at the set every

time that ad comes on.

I can see Niquil, if it gives you rest.

 

Did anyone try out the onion-next-to-the-pillow

thing? I love stuff like that, but don't do colds

much so I can't try it out. (I am grateful)

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://profiles./free_green_living

 

 

[Guest guest]

Your immurne system is run down you have to make it strong not to catch a cold.

I use to get colds three four times a years my lips were full of cold sores all

the time . I couldn't seem to ever shake them until I found SeaSilver . Now I

take Sea Silver for three years now and I haven't had a cold or a cold sore

since. What ever is in the SeaSilver all I know it works for me . Give it a try.

Go to web site , www.SeaSilver .com and order some for your self. If you need

to be sponsered than use my name Wayne LeGault good luck and say good bye to

your colds

 

 

 

Ieneke van Houten <ienvan

 

Friday, November 10, 2006 5:48:02 PM

Re: Treating Colds and Flu

 

Thanks Andrew,

I feel like hurling something at the set every

time that ad comes on.

I can see Niquil, if it gives you rest.

 

Did anyone try out the onion-next-to- the-pillow

thing? I love stuff like that, but don't do colds

much so I can't try it out. (I am grateful)

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://profiles. / free_green_ living

 

 

[Guest guest]

Ien - I finally tried the onion thing! It works great for your

sinuses! (your sister is right!) Unfortunately - it is not

particularly good for sex. I had forgotten the onion when I went to

bed and got up to get it. In the process of slicing it in the dark I

cut my finger. In the attempt to get a bandaid I stubbed my toe. I

forgot it might be a good idea to wash my hands after dealing with

the onion and jumped back into bed to a husband who turned his back

on me. I found this particularly amusing and ended up in a fit of

giggles - especially after he told me if I left it there too long he

would eat it.(he also mentioned I had the bigger half on my side of

the bed) During the night the cat went after the all too

familiar " saucer " that the onion was on and scared me half to death

with the saucer flying thru the air and the cat screaming. I ended up

in another fit of giggles and a disgruntled husband. I had very

little sleep ---- but my sinuses were great! Thank you! Helen

 

, Wayne LeGault

<doughboy952 wrote:

>

> Your immurne system is run down you have to make it strong not to

catch a cold. I use to get colds three four times a years my lips

were full of cold sores all the time . I couldn't seem to ever shake

them until I found SeaSilver . Now I take Sea Silver for three years

now and I haven't had a cold or a cold sore since. What ever is in

the SeaSilver all I know it works for me . Give it a try. Go to web

site , www.SeaSilver .com and order some for your self. If you need

to be sponsered than use my name Wayne LeGault good luck and say

good bye to your colds

>

>

>

> Ieneke van Houten <ienvan

>

> Friday, November 10, 2006 5:48:02 PM

> Re: Treating Colds and Flu

>

> Thanks Andrew,

> I feel like hurling something at the set every

> time that ad comes on.

> I can see Niquil, if it gives you rest.

>

> Did anyone try out the onion-next-to- the-pillow

> thing? I love stuff like that, but don't do colds

> much so I can't try it out. (I am grateful)

>

> Ien in the Kootenays

> http://profiles. / free_green_ living

>

>