Ways to Avoid the Winter Flu

Ways to Avoid the Winter Flu by Wtwin

Yes, it is another year and each winter there is the dreadful flu. The flu is extremely contagious and affects millions of Americans each year. Usually the flu is only a nuisance for normal, healthy individuals, but can wreak havoc with people that are not that healthy. Here are some tips to keep the flu away this winter season and stay healthy.

Get the flu shot. The flu shot is usually free or less than $20 and anyone that has been sick for a week will be kicking themselves when all they had to do was get a $20 shot from their doctor.

Even though you take the flu shot, you can still get the flu. Plenty of health professionals recommend that you wash your hands frequently with soap and water. By keeping your hands clean you stop the spread of the flu and stop the most easiest way to get infected- from hand to mouth contact.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet can stop the flu from infecting you. If you are run down and out of shape you are more likely to stay sicker for a longer time. There are also over the counter products as well as prescription products that are proven effective to fight the severity and length of the flu. One over the counter product is Zicam, which contains zinc, a potent chemical that combats the flu. Tamiflu is a prescription drug that is proven to shorten the flu.

So this flu season, don’t get caught unprepared, fight back against the flu.


The Flu is something you will always combat being a physician take a look at simple tips and learn How to Study For the MCAT

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Thankfully, Smoking is no longer very socially acceptable

Smoking is no longer very socially acceptable. Workplaces don’t allow it due to increased ‘sick days’ the smoker may take and the higher cost for health insurance. Malls, restaurants and bars don’t allow it with increasing frequency. People don’t want smokers in their homes or around their children. Landlords may not want to rent to smokers because of tobacco damage to walls and carpets, not to mention higher insurance rates. In the US, smokers make up 1/4th of the population, making it difficult for a smoker to find a potential mate other than another smoker.

Smoking harms other people, too. Second hand smoke? It’s not a joke and additionally goes by the name of passive smoking and environmental tobacco smoke, alluding to the cigarette smoke that is exhaled by smokers. Secondhand smoke kills thousands of people by lung cancer and heart disease. If you live with a smoker, you are smoking secondhand and are at an increased risk for all the maladies that smokers are vulnerable to. Smoking mothers have been shown an increase instance in asthma for their unborn fetus. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and low birth weight infants are attributed to smoking while pregnant. Babies born into smoking homes are more susceptible to bronchitis, colds, ear infections and other respiratory illnesses. Dizziness, nausea, headaches and eye irritation are all effects that can be ascribed to secondhand smoking.

Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things to do. Unlearning any habit is time-consuming and overwhelming. There are many resources available online and through hospitals, your doctor, social support groups and, of course, friends and family.

In order to quit smoking, you have to mean it. Think about how much life you will be saving (yours) and how many other lives you will be saving. You will set a good example for your children if you quit smoking before they are born. The health risks are so numerous, no one should ever start smoking and tobacco should potentially be illegal. However, this is not the case and willpower needs to be put into action.

Prepare for a Quit Day. Think long and hard about it and when you have come to the conclusion that it is time to quit, arm yourself with information and resources. There are nicotine gums, patches, candies and telephone hotlines. People who discover a method and stick to it have a greater success rate to stay quit from smoking than those who do not. The American Cancer Society provides support at 1.800.ACS.2345 or 1.800.227.2345. The hotline will help you recognize and cope with problems that arise during quitting and provide support and encouragement to help you stay quit. The rule of thumb is the more intense of a quitting program you undertake, the more likely it is to achieve success. There are classes and support groups that can assist you in your decision to quit. There is no reason to go it alone. Many people have tried and failed and many people have tried and succeeded. The ones who succeeded generally had a lot of help from their friends.

By: Eric Hartwell -

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For many allergies, there's still hope

Allergies – it seems just about everyone is suffering with them these days and many are enduring these season allergies without complaining. Instead they simply fill their pockets with tissues and sniffle on. So where do you, your allergies, and your allergy treatment.

But you know there comes a point where you need to take yourself and your allergies to the doctor for medical treatment. For many allergies there are over the counter medications that can help. There are also some terrific natural medications that have helped many an allergy sufferer. But after all that if you continue to suffer it’s time to see a doctor to help you find the right allergy treatment.

If you are wondering why you need a doctor here’s a great example – sinusitis is an allergy that many suffer from missing about 7 days a week in sick days because of it. There are more than 20 million annual office visits to the family doctor for a diagnosis of sinusitis because when left untreated it can lead to serious problems. That’s why the right allergy treatment is so important.

Great – but is there the right kind of doctor for your allergy treatment. And then there’s the challenge of choosing the right medication and then there’s just knowing when you need to see a doctor. When choosing a doctor start with your family doctor. If they feel you need a specialist they will refer you. When choosing a medication do a little research to decide if it is a medicine you are okay with taking. And if you simply can’t get your allergies under control you need to see a doctor – it’s really that simple.

There are all levels of allergies from mild to serve. A common mistake is to think only serious allergies need an allergy treatment. Even mild allergies that just don’t let up need treating. If your allergies affect your quality of life you need an allergy treatment.

When you suffer from allergies you are 20 times more likely to miss work or school. You will also spend your days feeling too tired to do anything and you are simply not functioning at your maximum ability. Your concentration is reduced and without an allergy treatment you have a greater risk of being involved in some type of accident or injury.

Allergies that are left without an allergy treatment can also lead to serious health problems. Sinusitis, ear & throat infections, tonsillitis, adenoids enlarged, polyps, and the problems go on and on.

Without an allergy treatment you can also suffer from sleep apnea which can be life-threatening if a person stops breathing. Untreated you can also suffer from other respiratory problems that result in chronic conditions like asthma. Allergies can also skin problems, food allergies, and even drug allergies. Some of these allergies can be life threatening anaphylactic shock.

If your allergies are minor you can likely find a natural allergy treatment or an over the counter treatment that can relieve your symptoms. However if you find your symptoms have become chronic and you are not getting relief it is important to see a doctor.

By: Steve Johnson -

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Get all the latest information about Allergies from the only true source at www.1allergyinformation.com Be sure to check out our allergy treatment pages.

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Article Posted By the Webmaster Foras Aje. He invites you to visit his website for more information on the Latest Health news, Healthy Living and Lifestyle choices at http://www.bodyhealthsoul.com

Article Posted By the Webmaster Foras Aje. He invites you to visit his website for more information on Healthy Living and Lifestyle choices at http://www.bodyhealthsoul.com

Steps To Confirm An Asthma Diagnosis

You suspect you have asthma. Perhaps you are suffering from tiredness, coughing even when you don't have a cold, difficulties in breathing, wheezing, a tightness in the chest, or a runny nose and itchy throat. Whilst these symptoms may clue your doctor in that you are potentially an asthmatic, they do not constitute a diagnosis. Instead, there are a number of tests your doctor will order. This article will describe those tests so you are better prepared for your medical visits.

Before your doctor orders any further tests, however, he or she will get a more thorough picture of the times you experience respiratory problems or chest tightness. They will probably enquire about whether these symptoms happen during certain times of year, how often, and what seems to trigger them. They will also want to talk about your family history - relating to both asthma and allergies, as the two often occur together.

A physical exam is next performed to establish whether there are noticeable signs of asthma affecting your airways. This is quite simple. Your doctor will listen for any wheezing sounds in your chest using a stethoscope. And they may look for any signs of allergy on your skin. To confirm the diagnosis after all of this, they will order a lung function test.

There are three primary lung function tests that your doctor may order. They are spirometry testing, the challenge test, and the peak expiratory flow test. The spirometry test is generally the first port of call. It's a simple test that measures how much air you can blow out of your lungs after taking a deep breath in, as well as how fast the exhale is. The results show up lower than normal if there is inflammation in your airways - which is a sign of asthma.

The challenge test is a variation on the above. But instead of simply inhaling and exhaling normally, you first inhale a substance that causes the airways of asthmatics to narrow. The chemical you inhale is called methacholine, and the test is designed to expose you to triggers that usually affect asthmatics. Consequently, you may only have to inhale cold air, or do some vigorous exercise (some people get asthma from exercise). The spirometer then measures the outbreath. A normal reading means it is doubtful you have asthma.

The peak flow test may be done instead of a spirometer test, though it is not as accurate. A peak flow meter is a portable device that measures how fast you can exhale air. The advantage of the peak flow test is that it can be done at home, giving a series of readings over a period of time. This can be particularly useful if the other tests were inconclusive or negative.

Overall, the tests required for an asthma diagnosis are invasive and quick. Whether your doctor uses one or a combination of tests, he will always take a family history, so it's a good idea to be prepared for that. And fortunately, there are a number of treatments available that enable asthmatics to manage their symptoms well. So well, in fact, that there are even world champion sports starts that are asthmatics!

By: Rebecca Prescott

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Discover the types of asthma here, and how it affects people's lives differently. Or read about the asthma nebulizer here.

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the management of adult onset asthma symptoms

If you discover that you have asthma after your twenty-first birthday, you have adult onset asthma. Almost half of all asthma cases are diagnosed before the age of ten years. Another 30% are discovered before the age of forty, and the rest occur in later life. There is a slight increase in womens' diagnosis after menopause. Whatever age you are when you find you have asthma, this diagnosis will change your life.

Asthma is a condition that causes the airways of your lungs to narrow, restricting the airflow and leaving you short of breath. This can happen because of inflammation from an allergen, an inhaled irritant or because of a spasm of the muscles around the bronchi- the small airways in the lungs.

The most well known symptom of asthma is a sudden onset of wheezing and difficulty getting your breath. These attacks can be very severe, causing hospitalization, or mild and well controlled by medications.

Once the initial diagnosis of adult onset asthma is made, the next step is to discover what type of asthma you have. Allergic asthma is caused by sensitivity to specific substances in your environment. Eliminating these substances is the first step to controlling your asthma.

Idiopathic asthma has no specific cause, but factors such as stress, cold weather and strenuous work or exercise could be factors that influence the frequency of attacks. You could also discover that you have a combination of both types.

You can keep an ongoing list of things that trigger your attacks. Also, keep a diary of your symptoms and medications to assist your health care professional to develop an effective asthma management plan for you.

Good nutrition plays an important role in the management of adult onset asthma symptoms. A good multivitamin and mineral supplement, in addition to eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables will help your body resist asthma attacks. Researchers have found that low levels of Vitamin C and zinc can cause increased bronchial spasms and wheezing.

Working with your health care professional to develop an asthma management program, and giving extra attention to nutrition will help you keep the symptoms of adult onset asthma under control.

By: Gerri Stone -

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Become Naturally Free From Asthma with a safe, fast-working and drug-free treatment proven in scientifically-controlled, clinical trials at a major hospital. Discover how at Asthma Care Tips

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Asthma Or A Cough?

It's difficult to predict if a chronic cough could be asthma related however, instead of trying to ride out the symptoms, people are encouraged to see their doctor.

If the coughing seems to be worse during certain times such as night time or following any type of exercise then mild asthma could be at play. So what do you do and how can you tell? Well, medical opinion is the best course of action to take. Many people would use some form of cough suppressant however, it must be noted only asthma medications will effective if the cough is a symptom of asthma.

Asthma Or A Cough?

Asthma cough is not suspected by many sufferers initially simply because the symptom could be associated with any number of other conditions. However, persistent and chronic night time cough should not be ignored and you should seek your doctor's opinion straight away.

Not Just A Child's Disease

It's important to realise asthma is not just a disease affecting children. In fact, adults have a better than 10 percent chance of developing asthma symptoms in their lives and that's why it's important to recognize a persistent cough as possibly more than just a by-product of a severe cold or flu.

During an adult's working life, they may be constantly exposed to non allergic triggers such as workplace irritants or even hormonal changes. Isolating the times when a cough is at it's worst is important when discussing your situation with a doctor.

An Asthma Fact

Asthma causes thousands of deaths each year so it's a potential killer. Asthma should be treated as an on-going maintenance project and sufferers need to be on guard 365 days a year. Avoidance of known triggers and consistent use of medication give sufferers every opportunity to lead normal lives.

Asthma Cough Facts

Wheezing is associated with this type of cough and it's described as non productive, meaning it doesn't produce wheezing. It's an irritating experience in the fact it has an almost hollow sound and the irritation in the throat seems unmovable. If the cough goes unchecked, shortness of breathe or even episodes of vomit can occur.

Children

In children, the episodes will be frequent and parents should keep a check on when the coughing is at it's worst. Isolating these times is valuable information for your doctor. It may occur most when the child is at play or during the night. You also want to check the child's breathing and look for rapid breathing. If the cough is breaking up normal sleep habits or it's so pronounced that it wakes the child, then your doctor will need to know.

Breathe Easy

Rescue inhalers, or short term medicines are the most common type of asthma medication. Long term medicications include anti-inflammatory preparations such as Corticosteroids and Leukotrine modifiers.

What is the best course of treatment. This is an area your doctor is best placed to advise you about but usually a combination of both is the best management practice. Inhalers are quick relief and great for diffusing potentially harmful episodes while long term medicines will help prevent and reduce swelling in the airways.

By: Dean Caporella

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Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Watch out! That persistent coughing could be asthma cough.Find out why plus, read the latest asthma related news and views at:www.asthmainfoline.com

Author speaks on smoking reduction therapy

Nicotine Nasal Spray: Nicotine is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream through a prescription nasal spray. The spray eliminates cravings and withdrawal symptoms when used. The FDA alerts the user to addictive properties inherent in the nasal spray and does not allow it to be prescribed for longer than 6 months. Side effects include: runny nose, sneezing, throat irritation, coughing, watery eyes and nasal irritation. Nasal spray is not recommended for those with allergies, asthma, nasal polyps or sinus problems. See your doctor for alternatives.

Nicotine inhaler- A prescription method developed in 1998. The inhaler is similar to smoking a cigarette, using a plastic tube that contains a nicotine cartridge. The quitter puffs on the inhaler to administer a nicotine vapor. Recommended dosage: 6-16 cartridges per day for up to 6 months.

Side effects: coughing, throat irritation, upset stomach.

These are the most expensive form of NRT.

The Lozenge- Nicotine lozenges are the newest NRT on the market. The FDA approved an over-the-counter smoking cessation aid in a lozenge called the Commit. The lozenge is available in 2mg and 4mg. As with the gum, the quitter administers as need and cravings surface. The manufacturer recommends a 12 week program, 1 lozenge every 1-2 hours for 6 weeks. Tapering off gradually by using one lozenge every 2-4 hours for week 7 through week 9 and one lozenge every 4-8 hours for the final two weeks.

The Commit manufacturer recommends:

“Stop all tobacco use when beginning therapy with the lozenge.

Do not eat or drink for 15 minutes before using the lozenge. (Some beverages can reduce the effectiveness of the lozenge).

Suck on the lozenge until it dissolves. Do not bite or chew it like a hard candy, and do not swallow it.

Do not use more than 5 lozenges in 6 hours, or more than 20 lozenges total per day.

Stop using the lozenge after 12 weeks. If you still feel you need to use the lozenge, talk to your doctor.

Do not use the lozenge if you continue to smoke, chew tobacco, use snuff or any other product containing nicotine (e.g., nicotine patch or gum).”

Side effects: sleeping problems, nausea, coughing, headache, heartburn, hiccups and flatulence (gas).

Despite the side effects, NRT has been proven to be an effective tool for smokers who decide it is time to quit. No one method is better than any other and the smoker/quitter can decide for themselves which method might help them the most. Is it that you need to replace the oral fixation that smoking provides and will be missed with the cessation of smoking? Is it important not to be reminded of smoking, using a once a day convenience??

Aside from NRT, there are also prescription medications you can ask your doctor about to assist you with quitting smoking. Some are used in conjunction with NRT. Bupropion (Zyban) and Varenicline (Chantix) are the two new prescription medications available. Zyban is an antidepressant and Chantix is specific designed to help you quit smoking. Ask your doctor what is right for you.

By: Eric Hartwell -

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How To Recognize Sinus Infection?

Sinus infection is generally produced by bacteria. The sinuses are cavities which along with the nose allow the air to pass through and go to the lungs. If these cavities get stuck with mucus which is failed to be taken out of the organism bacteria will end up accumulating and developing a local infection.

Sinusitis is the name for the sinus infection. The symptoms of sinusitis are varied from facial pain and local tenderness, to general fatigue, pain in the upper jaw, and swollen eyelids. Also, cough, headaches, colored nasal drainage, sore throat and photophobia are present in a lot of cases of sinusitis.

The symptoms are present depending whether the sinusitis is acute or chronic and depending on what sinuses are affected.

Frontal acute sinusitis brings fever, forehead pain, nasal discharge or postnasal drip. Also the person feels better if it has the head upright otherwise pain may appear.

In acute maxillary sinusitis the pain appears when the head is upright and the patient feels better if the head is in a reclining position. This type of sinusitis affects one or both of the cheekbones, causing pain, redness and swallowing of the cheekbone; nasal discharge is also present; pain occurs also around the eye and the upper teeth.

Acute ethmoid sinusitis causes symptoms like: pain near the base of the nose, between the eyes, one side of the nose or around the inner corner of the eyes; headaches, nasal discharge and congestion. The pain gets worse if the head is upright and when coughing.

Acute sphenoid sinusitis has the following symptoms: fever, terrible pain when lying back and bending forward, on top of the head and in the forehead area. Also nasal discharge is present. If pressure extents to the brain, visual problems might install.

If a patient has chronic sinusitis then the localized pain in the sinuses area is pretty much continuous, the headaches are also present all the time, bad breath and chronic cough. If the maxillary sinuses are affected then toothaches might be present. Also, acute pain in the morning and when wearing glasses will not avoid the patient. In chronic sphenoid sinusitis, the infection of the sinuses gives a general headache.

Sinusitis must be treated from its first symptoms as it can cause complications in time, like spreading the infection to other parts of the body, and for resolving that, surgery might be the only solution remaining at that time.

By: Groshan Fabiola

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You can visit www.sinus-infection-guide.com or www.sinus-infection-guide.com/home-remedies.htm for more home remedies information

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just take a look at the physical effects of smoking

If you want to quit smoking but can't seem to find the motivation, there are plenty of reasons to give up. And if you can't draw any inspiration from the social and financial issues, just take a look at the physical effects of smoking;

1) Life Span

If you smoke, you'll reduce your life expectancy by an estimated seven to eight years. That may not sound too serious, especially if you happen to be under 30, but if we break it down further, every cigarette you smoke will shorten your life by approximately 10 minutes.

And if you want a truly shocking figure, try this; Every day, more people under the age of 70 die from smoking related diseases than the combined total of deaths through road traffic accidents, drug addiction, breast cancer and AIDS.

2) General Health

It's no secret that the general health of smokers is much lower than that of non-smokers.

Medical studies have shown that smokers are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, which lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. And it's not just older people who are affected. Many of these studies have questioned smokers in their twenties and thirties.

But that's not all. People who smoke are likely to have poor quality skin. Due to the lower level of oxygen that reaches their skin they develop a pale, sallow complexion. And then there's the issue with wrinkles. If you smoke, any wrinkles that you develop will be up to ten times worse than those developed by non smokers of your age.

In fact, it has been shown that smokers with noticeable wrinkles are much more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as bronchitis and emphysema.

3) Major Illnesses

Smoking also increases your chances of developing a whole host of major illnesses. This includes;

a) Conditions that affect the respiratory system; asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

b) Cancers, especially of the mouth, throat and lungs.

c) High blood pressure and high cholesterol which leads to an increased risk of strokes and heart disease. In fact, smokers are two to three times more likely to die from a heart attack than non-smokers.

4) Viruses

Recent research has shown that due to the effect of smoking on the immune system, smokers have a higher chance of becoming infected with HIV.

5) Infections

If you smoke you're at greater risk of respiratory infections because the smoke that you draw into your nose and throat damages that beneficial bacteria that lives in your respiratory system. This allows disease causing bacteria to enter your body.

6) Infertility

Smoking causes lower infertility levels in both men and women. Male smokers tend to have a lower sperm count, and may suffer from various mutations to their sperm. And due to the gradual blocking of arteries male smokers are more likely to become impotent.

Women who smoke are also less likely to conceive. And women who smoke during their pregnancy are more likely to experience a range of problems, including ectopic pregnancies, miscarriage, premature birth, lower birth weight and birth defects.

7) Mental Health

Studies have shown that smokers are twice as likely to suffer from depression than non-smokers.

By: Hannah Garcia -

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If you want to quit smoking, Hannah Garcia can help. Visit www.ICanHelpYouQuitSmoking.com for advice and motivation on how to kick the habit.

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developing an asthma treatment plan

There are certain important factors to consider when developing an asthma treatment plan. None of those factors are more important than having the medications on hand when you need them. Nothing is more alarming when away from home than to realize the drugs needed to end an asthma attack are safely back at home on the kitchen counter.

With the recent advancements in medications and knowledge concerning asthma over the last few decades, many people have become comfortable living with the illness. This no doubt is caused by having an effective asthma treatment plan that has limited the number and severity of the attacks.

At this point, it may be almost second nature to assume that an asthma attack will not happen. This is a dangerous assumption especially when the person with asthma is a young child. He simply never know when they may come in contact with something in the environment that may cause an attack.

The statement that you didn't think that they would need their medicine rings hollow at best while your son or daughter is gasping for air. Children count on us to be proactive with their care and this is especially true if they are suffering from asthma.

It's important to keep your doctor updated on the effects of living with asthma and how effective the current asthma treatment program is working. Issues such as the severity of the attacks is important to determine if the treatment plan needs adjusted.

Another important consideration is the number and duration of attacks experienced. Try to keep a journal or log that will explain the details of each attack. These details should include

1. Duration of the attack. How long would you estimate the asthma attack to have lasted.
Was the attack minutes, seconds, etc.

2. Severity of the attack. How difficult was the attack on the asthma patient. I realize this is subjective but a severe attack is different than one that starts and is quickly controlled using available medicines, etc.

3. Treatment. What if anything was done to address the asthma attack? What actions were taken to control the situation? This can be important in fine tuning a treatment plan.

4. Causation. Was there any specific trigger that might have brought on an attack? It may not be clear but details may give some indication of the cause. A cold and windy day may bring on an asthma attack.

Having this information at your next doctor's appointment will go a long way in determining if the asthma treatment program currently being used, is effective or needs to be adjusted. It's only by having consistent information and