Simple Tip to Prevent Catching Colds – No More Influenza Infection
Simple Tip to Prevent Catching Colds – No More Influenza Infection
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Influenza is a common problem nowadays. Although it may not be fatal disease, it is very contagious and can affect millions of people all over the world. In this article, I will give a simple tip to prevent catching colds. Say no to influenza infection with this commonsense habit.
Millions of people around the planet have heard the alarming scale of different flu outbreaks over the recent years. From SARS to avian influenza, the strains of influenza virus are getting stronger, causing infections at rapid speed. For the information of the public, more than 500,000 people in the whole planet will die because of these more immune strains of influenza. And this is very scary. So, how can we protect ourselves?
Do not allow yourself to catch flu because of your negligence and lack of knowledge. The key to protect yourself from catching common colds are quite common sense. Boost your immune system with the proper vitamin antioxidant boosters and do not expose yourself to risks that will most likely make you infected with the virus.
One of the simplest approaches to avoiding colds is to wash your wands frequently. This is very commonsense but I cannot stress it enough. According to the journal Applied Environmental Microbiology, you can kill about 99.7 percent of the viruses when you wash your hands thoroughly. Before you touch your nose, face, or mouth, make it a habit to wash your hands with warm water and any ordinary soap. This should require consistent effort and this needs to be formed into a habit.
There are other ways to prevent you from catching common colds and flu. But frequently washing your hands is a great start.
Using Anti Flu Medications
Using Anti Flu Medications
Flu is a widespread ailment experienced by grown-ups and kids all over the world. The first symptom of the flu is a bad throat. A sore throat can even indicate the beginnings of bird flu or the common flu. A more severe symptom is elevated fever. Flu fevers are usually over 36 degrees C but worse instances may go above a 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Other indicators are lesser signs of hunger, chest difficulty, and muscular pains.
Historical Treatments Against the Flu
The 1918 Spanish Influenza was really a manifestation of the flu. about 20 million worldwide died from unattended cases of the flu. Because the victims were unable to fix the flu, they suffered from pneumonia. The ready medication tablets in this era were Rimantdine and Amantadine. These drugs had their limitations. Though they could prevent the virus from infecting the cells, they could only protect the body from Type A influenza viruses. The drugs cannot stop the type B influenza viruses.
Latest Medicines
Tamiflu and Relenza can protect the body against type A and Type influenza viruses. Both medicines are neuraminidase inhibitors, inhibiting the virus from completely infecting the body. Tamiflu is made of Oseltmaivir while Relenza has Zanamivir.
Tamiflu is known as the most advisable flu treatment. It is sold in tablet shape, made in a measurement of 75 mg. Flu ridden children must take the suspension form of Tamiflu. The suspension form is administered based on the kid’s weight. For example, a child less than thirty three pounds will take 30 mg of Tamiflu. The downside of Tamiflu is its high cost.
An inhaler is required to take Relenza. Relenza and Tamiflu are both approved by the FDA. Unfortunately, people with asthma or any breathing problem are in danger when taking Relenza. They …
Flu Shot Safety
Flu Shot Safety
We are getting healthy here at Healthagen. This week we all rolled up our sleeves and got our flu shots. Prior to the scheduled event we had lots of questions, myths and concerns floating around the office so we thought we would re-visit the idea of vaccine safety.
Vaccines are a great public health success story. The administration of vaccines has eradicated smallpox, nearly ended polio and greatly reduced the outbreaks of measles, pertussis and other illnesses.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states “influenza vaccination is the primary method for preventing influenza and its severe complications.” The year 1580 brought the first known influenza pandemic. Other flu pandemics include: 1889-90 Russian Flu, 1918 Spanish Flu, 1957-58 Asian Flu and 1968-69 Hong Kong Flu. Earliest recorded flu pandemics spread unabated. Over the years physicians and scientists have tried everything from bleeding patients to administering basic palliative care. Finally advances in microbiology allowed the discovery of viral growth in fertilized hens’ eggs in the 1930’s. The US Military approved the first vaccine for influenza to be used during WWII. This is why people with severe (life threatening) allergies to chicken eggs should not be vaccinated.
In the United States all vaccines must be approved and licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All new vaccines are first put through computer models to predict their effectiveness then they are subject to animal and human clinical trials. When the FDA is satisfied with both the clinical trial results and the proposed labeling for the vaccine they will issue a license. This process for new vaccines can take up to 10 years.
Fortunately, the seasonal influenza vaccine is different because they do not start from scratch each year. Each year the flu vaccine is reformulated. The World Health Organization …
How to Prevent Hypertension – 7 Helpful Tips
How to Prevent Hypertension – 7 Helpful Tips
Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure means high pressure or tension in the arteries. The arteries are the vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. It is generally defined as a level exceeding 140/90 mm Hg that has been confirmed on multiple occasions. The systolic blood pressure is the top number, and it represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood into circulation. The diastolic pressure, which is the bottom number, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after contraction.
Even though the exact cause of hypertension is usually unknown, there are many factors that have been linked with this condition. Risk factors include genetic and family history of cardiovascular disease or hypertension, thyroid problems or tumors, environmental factors, excessive salt intake, Vitamin D deficiency, diabetes, insufficient calcium potassium and magnesium consumption, obesity or being overweight, stress, smoking and alcohol abuse, physical inactivity or lack of exercise, side effects of pharmacologic drugs such as birth control pills, and aging (55 for men and 65 for women).
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers hypertension to be the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality. The manner of preventing hypertension suggests the subsequent routine changes:
– Regular work-out and weight reduction. As we know exercise can help reduce stress (such as yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi), helps lose weight by removing the excess fat in the blood stream, and lessen the risk of hypertension.
– Reducing sugar consumption. Sugar is called the sweet poison.
– Dietary change is also helpful in reducing blood pressure. The best example of this is the dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet. This diet encourages a lot of fruit, vegetables and low-fat dietary …
Typical Symptoms of the Flu
Typical Symptoms of the Flu
Many people that have the flu actually misjudge it as being a cold since their symptoms are so tolerable so it can be confusing.
What Causes the Flu
It is important to understand that the influenza virus constantly changes and can mutate into a more severe or mild strain at any time. This allows it to infect someone’s immune system who has had a flu shot because their vaccination may not protect against what the strain has become.
The flu is one of the easiest illnesses you can catch because it is spread through contact or by even breathing in infected air. Therefore, if a person walking in front of you at the mall coughs or sneezes into the air and you walk through those tainted air particles, you can become infected. Alternatively, if that same person covers their mouth with their hand when they cough or sneeze and then touches a railing or elevator button that you touch after them, you have picked up the virus.
What are the Symptoms?
Nearly everyone who has the flu experiences a pretty high fever, children can see dangerous levels. This is almost always accompanied with a sore throat, fatigue and muscle aches. Most people describe this uncomfortable feeling as everything hurting. Headaches can also be present and there is a good chance that you will have a runny or stuffy nose.
The majority of the population who experiences these symptoms will recover within two weeks, others will develop pneumonia, which can result in death.
When are Symptoms an Emergency?
Every fever or sore throat is not considered an emergency situation. However, it is important that you do seek medical treatment if symptoms become severe or if you experience abdominal or chest pain, difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, confusion …
Effective Stress Management is a Learned Skill
Effective Stress Management is a Learned Skill
Talk about stress – wow, I am stuck at the airport in Philadelphia. I am tired having lived out of a suitcase working all week and all I want to do is go home. But, flights are delayed and I have no option but to sit and listen to angry passengers, screaming kids, and parents who are losing their minds!
At one time this type of situation would have been a really big problem for me to handle. I would get edgy, find myself being short and get wound up tighter than a drum trying how to control my stress and ultimately keep my blood pressure from going through the roof!
Then about a year ago I realized I really need to find a way to help me control my stress. I knew I didn’t need a shrink to figure out what was going. I knew I was my own worst enemy trying to juggle home, work, and family. I also knew I didn’t have the option to talk to a stress counselor every time I found myself stressing out. So I went on an all out search to find the best tool for me.
I found myself gravitating towards changing behaviors. I read more books than I dare confess to -and I ended up with a personal collection of self help books on tape that could be its own book store.
But now they are all collecting dust because I found something that worked far better and it is the only thing I now even consider using. In doing my research I found a product called the “emWave Personal Stress Reliever” from HeartMath. This ingenious little product enables me to balance out my emotions, and overcome the stress and anxiety I would …
Start Lowering Hypertension Today
Start Lowering Hypertension Today
There are many fantastic ways to begin lowering hypertension without having to make drastic lifestyle changes! It’s always difficult to know where to start when there’s so much clashing information on the subject, but hopefully with my article this will be cleared up for you. I’m going to explore one of the hidden little factors that lead to high blood pressure and how exactly you can start combating it so you can start lowering hypertension today!
Now, there’s one factor that many people don’t know about, but can have a drastic effect on your blood pressure. That factor is alcohol. Now, this may strike you as odd, given the beneficial qualities of drinks such as red wine, but what goes unnoticed are all those hidden calories! You see, because it’s a drink, people seem to think that it holds no contribution to their recommended intake. Well, this is where they’re surprisingly wrong!
You see, when you’re having a meal, you might crack open a bottle of wine and easily finish one or two bottles in one night. Now, every now and then this is definitely not a problem – it’s great to have a treat! However, if you’re doing this on a regular basis, night after night, then the calories within the alcohol will begin to build up and be stored as fat. As you’ll be aware, stored fat will eventually begin to build up inside the arteries over time, which can be an instant cause of high blood pressure.
So all you will need to do to prevent this happening is drink in moderation! It’s not difficult to keep a check on exactly how much you’re drinking, especially in your own home. You just need to be aware that drinks can have as large a …
Controlling Blood Pressure – A Novel Way
Controlling Blood Pressure – A Novel Way
Today’s fast-paced life seems to have put increasing demands on our heart. At least that is what health specialists say. In addition, with more and more people adding up into the hypertensive category, high blood pressure has now become a commonplace ailment. What really causes high blood pressure?
Stress and high blood-pressure
There are hosts of key reasons that can lead to hypertension, and stress is not the least of them. Why and how does stress cause hypertension is now understood by medical experts. When a demanding situation confronts us, our bodies react by releasing stress hormones in the form of cortisol and adrenaline into the blood. These hormones prepare our bodies for a reactive response by shooting up the heart rate and constricting the blood vessels. What results is an increase in blood pressure. However, such a response by the human body is temporary. When the stressful situation eases, the blood pressure comes down. But are our lives free from stressful situations and constant worry? Unfortunately, most of us would answer in an emphatic no. Our daily routine itself has become a quagmire of stress. The day starts with an argument with the spouse, and then it continues with contradiction and discords at the workplace, and by the time you are back home the events of the day haunt you no end. It will be a marvel if we can identify a single anxiety free day. Therefore, it is up to each one of us to chalk out a time slot everyday when we can work ourselves to calm down our body and mind. This is where meditation comes in.
How meditation helps
Continuous streams of restless thoughts frustrate our efforts to relax our mind and body. All meditation techniques teach us …
The Six Types of Hypertension
The Six Types of Hypertension
Most people think that there is only one type of hypertension. They usually refer to it as high blood pressure. It has been called the “silent killer”. That’s because there usually are no symptoms to alert the sufferer. It is a good idea to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
The common type is known as primary hypertension sometimes called essential. Even though it is the most diagnosed type, there is no known cause.
Next, there is the type called secondary hypertension. It is usually caused by factors that are sometimes curable. Some of the causes are pregnancy related. It can also be brought on by thyroid dysfunction, tumors, sleep apnea, alcohol, and some medications to just name a few.
Malignant Hypertension is the worst type. It is very severe and it just keeps getting worse with time. It very quickly will lead to organ damage. If it is not properly treated, it will result in death in as little as five years for most sufferers. Intensive treatment can reverse the condition and prevent complications. It is not brought on by cancer. And, it is not caused by any malignancy.
Isolated Systolic type may be diagnosed in older folks. The systolic, which is the top number, stays above 160. And, the diastolic is below 90. This is caused by the stiffening of the arteries. And the loss of the elasticity in arteries like the aorta; sometimes diagnosed as arteriosclerosis. It is very important to receive treatment, because it can help prevent strokes and heart disease.
White coat type is brought on by anxiety. The individual’s blood pressure is high only when it gets tested by someone in a clinical environment, like a hospital. Here is where the term “white coat” comes from. It is then …
Is the Flu Shot Right For You?
Is the Flu Shot Right For You?
For several years now it has been encouraged that seniors receive a flu shot to help protect them from Influenza. Others may wonder how safe the flu shot really is and if it worth the risk to get the shot. You should always talk over your concerns with your doctor and they will let you know if the flu shot is right for you but it doesn’t hurt to do your own research online to discover the risks and benefits of the flu shot. First of all you should know what Influenza is. Influenza is a viral infection that starts in the air passage ways; lungs, nose, and throat.
Symptoms of the Flu
The severity of symptoms depends on each individual but sure signs of the flu include
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose
• Cough
• Tiredness/Exhaustion
• Headaches and muscle aches
These symptoms can last for up to two weeks. If you begin to feel any of these symptoms you may want to call your doctor so they can monitor your progression. If the flu is left untreated it can turn into pneumonia and that is why it is important to get your flu shot if your doctor recommends it.
The only time you should not get the flu shot is if you have had a negative reaction from the flu shot before, If you have ever developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome right after taking the flu shot, or if you are allergic to eggs. Your doctor may still recommend that you receive the flu shot but they will monitor your condition more closely.
Alternatives
Besides the flu shot you can also receive a flu nasal spray vaccine. This is not for everyone but you may be a perfect candidate for it. There …