William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2011-12-01 / 12. szám
1 Our Health Corner with Debbie woife, rn Stop a cold in its tracks WELCOME TO OL' MAN WINTER. I hope you all have followed my advice and have gotten your flu vaccination. And, Merry Christmas to all our members and readers. May you all receive God's blessings of the season and have joyous family celebrations. But, watch out for little Braedon's runny nose...and Grandpa Tom's nasty cough...and Uncle Joey, who just sneezed again. OH, NO! So, you wash your hands like a surgeon preparing for surgery and avoid the hugs and toddler kisses. But, yet there they are-a tickle in your throat, a cloudy head, an achy body. Yep, you're coming down with something. The average adult get three colds a year, each lasting an average of nine days. But, you don't have to surrender to this bug. Here's how to stop a cold before it can take hold, and possibly feel better by tomorrow. As soon as you feel symptoms: • Start drinking water or juice. Staying hydrated cuts down on symptoms such as a sore throat or stuffy nose. • Have some chicken soup for lunch. I know a bowl of my husband Glenn's home made chicken veggie noodle soup always makes our family feel better. Research strongly suggests that warm soup does reduce cold symptoms. • Gargle with salt water. To combat a scratchy throat, add Vz teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. The salt will draw out the excessive fluid in your throat tissues, reduce the inflammation and clear the mucus and irritants from the back of the throat. The rinse also washes out the bacteria and viruses, which may help whether you are getting a cold or trying to prevent one. • Keep your nose clean. Using a saline nasal spray as soon as symptoms appear can reduce the severity of a cold. A hot shower will help to open nasal passageways. • Head to the drug store. Within the first two hours, take a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, to fight off achiness. Over-the-counter meds, like Zyrtec and Benadryl, help with symptoms, such as runny nose and watery eyes. Allergy meds that contain a decongestant, such as Claritin D or Alávert D, will help clear your sinuses and still keep you alert. But, always check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are on any prescription medications for possible drug interactions or undesirable side effects. And, always look for generic or store brands. Compare active ingredients; they are usually identical. • Skip the OTC Cough medicines. Good old honey works just as well and tastes better, too. Have one to two tablespoons straight from the jar or in a warm cup of tea. • Skip work if you can. Your body can fight off the virus better if you are well rested. But, if you just have to go in, steer clear of co-workers as best you can. The first few days of a cold are when you are the most contagious. To keep from spreading your germs, wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based disinfectant gel when water is not available. • Shake it off. If you are up to it, light exercise can boost the immune system. Walk around the house or do some light stretching. Just keep your heart rate below 100 bpm. • Feed yourself. At the end of the day, a healthy meal can help fuel your immune system. Choose proteinpacked foods, such as lean red meat, fish or beans, with a whole-grain side, like a brown rice, and plenty of fresh vegetables. • Take a hot shower before bed. This will open up a stuffy head. Then get a good nights sleep. The next day, do you feel the same or maybe even a little better? If so, continue this routine for a few days. If you feel worse, have a fever, start vomiting or develop a worsening headache, call your doctor. You may actually have something other than the common cold. You could have the flu or an infection that may require antibiotics or anti-viral medication. Colds are part of the winter season...but so are Christmas shopping, decorating the house, party planning and coming together to celebrate. Don't miss out on all the season has to offer. Be on the lookout for signs of an impending bug and cut it off at the pass. Don't go down without a fight! Till next month.... Merry Christmas Kellemes Karácsonyi Ünnepeket pebbíe, c^levu^, & Tina Health Li 10 0 December 2011 0 William Penn Life To learn more about the common cold and its causes, symptoms, treatment and log onto the National Library of Medicine’s “Common Cold” webpage at: 3 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000678.htm prevention,
