This week's focus: Winter Prep: Colds/Flu, Coughs and Asthma
Dates: 10/17 - 10/19
Times:
Friday, 3:00pm-7:00pm
Saturday, 11:00am-3:00pm
Sunday, 12:00pm-4:00pm

Note: This page discusses diet and lifestyle changes that published research has shown may support your resistance to common colds, flus, coughs, and asthma episodes. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about your options and before making changes to your everyday nutrition and self-care practices.

Overview

The flu, or influenza, and the common cold are short-term (acute) viral infections that may be spread through the air (by sneezing, for example) or by contact with contaminated objects. Asthma, a disorder in which spasms and inflammation of the bronchial passages restrict the flow of air in and out of the lungs, may be further complicated by a cold or flu. Both viral infections and asthma may cause coughing.

To help you stay healthy during the cold season, try to wash hands regularly and take measures to boost your immune system by getting appropriate rest and exercise, and by drinking water, eating healthful foods, and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and highly processed foods. If you are managing asthma, avoiding upper respiratory infections, caused by colds and most flus, will support your overall lung health as well.

Symptoms

The common cold often causes coughing, runny nose, sore throat, and vague discomfort called malaise. Flus are more serious, and may include a high fever, body aches, and chills. Cold and flus with upper respiratory components may trigger asthma attacks in susceptible people. An asthma attack usually begins with sudden fits of wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath. However, it may also begin with slowly increasing respiratory distress. A sensation of tightness in the chest is also common.

Since colds and flus are caused by viral infections, antibiotics are not effective treatments. Sometimes sore throats and coughs are symptoms of more serious conditions distinct from the common cold, which may require medical diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antibiotics. People with coughs and sore throats lasting longer than a week should talk to their doctor. A chronic, persistent cough requires medical attention in order to determine the underlying cause.

Top Tips to Breathe Easy this Cold & Flu Season

Eat Right

Drink those fluids: Get plenty of water and other clear fluids to help thin mucus. Non-caffeinated drinks, including water and low-sugar juices, may help loosen and clear out mucus, soothe a sore throat, and replace fluid loss due to a fever or runny nose. Warm liquids, like herbal teas or soups, not only hydrate, but their heat may also help fight off the infection and relieve congestion.

Eat healthfully: Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, as excessive sugar, dietary fat, and alcohol have been reported to impair immune function.

Go for garlic: Raw garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Crush a clove or two and add to foods like soups and grains just before serving.

Try some honey: Honey has antimicrobial properties and can soothe irritated mucous membranes. It should not be given to children younger than 12 months old.

Live Right

Clean it up: Use disinfectant cleaning products to reduce the spread of germs on household objects and surfaces.

Stop the spread: Wash your hands often, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoid sharing cups, glasses, and eating utensils to avoid spreading viruses. Remember that people are often infectious in the early stages of illness, so make these precautions part of your regular healthy habits to help protect yourself and those around you.

Be sure to rest: Give your body some downtime to help it fight off infection. Lie down, stay warm, and sleep if you feel tired. This keeps all the body’s energy available for combating the virus. If you have trouble relaxing, dim the lights, watch your favorite movie, or take a bath.

Try gargling: With plain water, gargling three times a day removes mucus and keeps bacteria and viruses from sticking around.

Use a humidifier: A warm, humid environment (40 to 70% relative humidity) created by a humidifier may provide comfort during the common cold, as long as the device is kept clean and infection free. Users of humidifiers are advised to carefully follow instructions on safe and proper use to avoid exposure to more infection.

Don’t dry out: At very low levels of humidity, the nose mucus dries up and isn’t able to defend as well against harmful viruses and bacteria. You can help boot out the virus by using a nasal mist to keep your nose mucus moist and putting your face over the rising steam as you sip your herbal tea.

Get nutritional support: Studies have shown 1 to 4 grams of vitamin C a day may make your cold shorter and less severe, and it may also help ward off the flu. Lozenges containing zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zinc acetate, providing 13 to 25 mg of zinc every two hours, may also help shorten the illness.

Attend your asthma: When your lungs are already compromised by asthma, take some extra care to avoid triggering an event during cold and flu season: keep a healthy body weight; control household and workplace irritants such as dust, mold, smoke, chemicals, and animal dander; and talk to an allergist about helping you build tolerance to allergens.

© 2008 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net

Disclaimer: The information in this page was prepared by Aisle7 for educational purposes only; it is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Health claims are based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications, diet, or exercise habits. Aisle7, Walmart, and Pierce Promotions make no representations concerning the information contained in this article and disclaim any liability for such information and the decisions you make based on such information.