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Common Cold And Flu Treatment

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
Cold and Flu Treatment


The common cold is an illness caused by a virus infection located in the nose and causes many symptoms including a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, and fever. These symptoms are your body’s response to some type of infection. It is widely known that there is no cure for the common cold; however, there are many things you can do to combat the symptoms and lessen the duration of your cold. Medicines such as antihistamines, decongestants, and cough suppressants are often very effective in relieving the pain caused by many of these symptoms.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness cause by the influenza virus. It can cause mild to sever illness, and in extreme cases it may even lead to death. You have probably heard of the seasonal flu shot, and many of you have probably even gotten one yourselves. The flu shot injects you with a very small amount of the influenza virus, which is supposed to make your body more resistant to the virus. However, getting a flu shot does not mean you are immune to all strains of the flu.

Symptoms

symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing. The throat and sinuses may be affected as well. There may be swelling in the sinuses and sore throat. A cough due to throat irritation and post-nasal drip may develop. Some people experience headache and/or low fever. Symptoms of cold and flu may be similar, but fever and body aches usually occur first in cases of influenza and other symptoms similar to the common cold develop later.

Both these illnesses are due to viruses, with the common cold and the flu spread through one’s saliva or nasal secretions. Of course, when you take the necessary precautions, you wouldn’t need to worry, but in the case that you do contract either of these irritants, you’ll be happy to know that we will explore how the common cold and the flu are best treated.

Cold and Flu Treatment – 7 Secrets to Speed Up Recovery

Stay at home Get plenty of rest Drink a lot of liquids Avoid alcohol use and tobacco smoke Consider over-the-counter medications to relieve flu symptoms Consult a doctor early on for best possible treatment Remain alert for emergency warning signs

Herbalists have also been using liquorice to soothe chest and throat complaints since the third century BC for the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, throat problems, colds and coughs. Liquorice contains anti-viral compounds that induce the release of interferon, the bodies own anti-viral constituents. It is an expectorant and anti-inflammatory which makes it excellent for stubborn coughs and lung infections.



Read about Dry Whooping Cough Syrup and Soothe Sore Throat and also Cough Remedies

HOW TO PREVENT A FLU?

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
Cold Symptoms vs Flu Symptoms

First, individuals should be sure they are not members of a high-risk group that is more susceptible to getting severe flu symptoms. Check with your physician if you are unsure if you are a higher risk person. Home care is recommended by the CDC if a person is normally healthy with no underlying diseases or conditions (for example, lung disease, asthma, pregnant, or immunosuppressed).

Increasing liquid intake, warm compresses and warm showers, especially in the nasal area, can reduce the body aches and reduce nasal congestion. Nasal strips and humidifiers may help reduce congestion, especially while trying to sleep.

Some physicians recommend nasal irrigation with saline to further reduces congestion; some recommend nonprescription decongestants. Fever can be treated with over-the counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin and others) (read labels for safe dosage). Cough can be suppressed by cough drops and over-the-counter cough syrup. If an individual’s symptoms at home get worse, their doctor should be notified.

Much of the illness and death caused by flu can be prevented by annual influenza vaccination. Flu vaccine is specifically recommended for those who are at high risk for developing serious complications as a result of influenza infection. These high-risk groups for conventional flu include all people aged 65 years or older and people of any age with chronic diseases of the heart, diabetes; lung, or kidneys; immunosuppression; or severe forms of anemia.

However, with the novel H1N1 flu, the CDC has listed these groups listed below as being at high risk and should obtain the novel H1N1 vaccine as soon as it is available to them:

people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age; pregnant women; people between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age and children 5-18 years of age who have chronic medical problems; health-care and emergency-services personnel; people from 25-64 years of age who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Other groups for whom conventional flu vaccine is specifically recommended are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities housing patients of any age with chronic medical conditions and children and teenagers who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who may therefore be at risk for developing Reye Syndrome after an influenza virus infection. Flu vaccine is also recommended for people who are in close or frequent contact with anyone in the high-risk groups defined above.

These people include health-care personnel and volunteers who work with high-risk patients and people who live in a household with a high-risk person. (read more about flu here.)

16 Common Symptoms Of Bronchitis Condition – Tips To Identify

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Health is Wealth – this is what the wise men suggest and stands true in all regards.

Having loads of wealth and no health to enjoy and make fun in life makes no sense. Similarly to earn wealth you need proper health. Hence keeping healthy is the basic key to success.

In the lifestyle that we lead today we are surrounded with so much pollution and unwanted, unhygienic factors that it is a must to be cautious enough keep the ailments away form yourself. In short your health entirely lies in your own hands.

One of the most common ailments these days is the respiratory ailment. Asthma being the most known respiratory disease there are several others alongside that you must be aware of. One such ailment is bronchitis.

Bronchitis is a sort of a respiratory illness affecting the bronchial tree of our body. That is, in this ailment bronchi of our lungs becomes inflamed. It is a common disease among tobacco smokers & people ho are living in the areas where there are high levels of air pollution. In case you one among those affected with bronchitis, here are some points you must understand about this disease.

1. Bronchitis is of two kinds depending on the time it lasts for in the body – Acute bronchitis lasts for only 10-12 days. On the other hand, chronic bronchitis might also take 3 months to 2 years.

2. It is easier to prevent acute bronchitis because it is mainly caused due to some viral & bacterial infections.

3. Also there are some cases where this ailment comes from some fungus. The individual suffering with acute bronchitis experiences persistent cough along with mucus, shortness of breathe, feeling of fatigue, mild fever, mild chest pains, feeling of coldness, vibration inside chest while breathing, etc.

4. When acute bronchitis is caused due to virus, it is usually the same virus as that of common cold. In case of such viral infections, the doctors suggest that there is no need of any special medications. The only means of getting well is talking lots of rest and drinking loads of non caffeinated & non alcoholic beverages.

5. In case one is affected with acute bronchitis caused due to the bacterial infection, the usual antibiotic medications can treat him/her well. In such remember two things – one contact the doctor and take the anti-biotic that the expert suggests rather than taking just any medicine without prescription and two, increasing the humidity in the patients’ house would really help. You can do this by placing wet towels all across the house or placing room humidifiers.

6. Generally, acute bronchitis lasts about 10-12 days only. Yet, it is closely followed and/or associated with flu and cold. So, many a times during the healing process coughing does not end and bronchi in the lungs keeps irritating. In case the coughing lasts longer than a month, the experts advise you to consult the physician immediately, before the conditions get worst. This is because, cough occurs for several other reasons as well.

7. Bronchitis happens chiefly due to infections such as viral, bacteria and very rarely due to fungus.

8. Remember you must not take any medications until & unless the doctor prescribes so else it might get dangerous for you.

9. The doctors in such cases usually get some essential lab tests done before prescribing the medications. These examinations are very important and must be taken very seriously.

Now before making any decisions, let us first understand the signs & symptoms of the bronchial diseases.

1. Bronchitis is a name given to the swelling of our bronchial tubes. This swelling leads to the bronchial mucosa’s disability in getting rid of the mucus.

2. This means the patient would have lot of cough, and face difficulty in breathing.

3. The other symptoms include the following:

• Difficulty in breathing

• Breathlessness

• Coughing alongwith thick phlegm

• Pain in the throat

• Feeling tightness around the chest

• Mild fever

• Pain & swelling around the patient’s eyes

4. The other symptoms of bronchitis are as follows:

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Excessive sweating

• Nausea

• Chest pain

5. The key difference between the other obstructive lung diseases and asthmatic bronchitis is that the latter is often reversible, both, with or without the treatment.

6. Persons afflicted with asthma might experience certain symptom free episodes while interchanging acute asthmatic attacks last for a few minutes or a few days.

7. Factors setting off the asthmatic attacks are quite similar to the asthmatic bronchitis (like dust, smoking, etc.).

8. Common asthma is mainly triggered through the allergens. The common allergens imply ones arising due to season (that is weed pollens and grass tree), and the persistent ones (like roaches, animal dander, dust, etc). Almost all asthmatic individuals are extremely sensitive to these triggers.

9. The key causes of bronchitis are the bacterial infections. While asthmatic bronchitis is activated through tiny specks breaking through the safety walls created by cilia, a part of the bronchial tubes.

10. Just like other COPDs, the asthmatic bronchitis involves congestion of our respiratory tract. The bronchial tubes actually produce mucus under all normal circumstances. This mucus then covers our lungs, trachea, and other important organs of the respiratory system. When the irritants are existent in our respiratory system, there is an overproduction of this mucus that consequently obstructs our airways. A continuous mucoid obstruction in the respiratory tract is the most common factor among the asthmatic bronchitis patients.

11. These factors contribute towards the development of the asthmatic bronchitis, hyperactivity of bronchus and/or immunologic aberrations, the relentless childhood infections, etc.

12. The persons suffering with asthma and/or the other grave sorts of chronic bronchitis become quite vulnerable towards asthmatic bronchitis.

13. Ones who are afflicted with the chronic bronchitis, ultimately contract to asthmatic bronchitis owing to the long term exposure towards pollutants and/or environmental toxins & mainly cigarette smoking.

14. While the medical experts continue to research what exactly causes this disease by far the established fact is that the environmental factors lead to this ailment.

15. The general symptoms leading to asthmatic bronchitis include dyspnea (that is difficulty in breathing & shortness of breath), chest discomforts, cough, wheezing lasting for several weeks, general malaise or fatigue, weight loss, pain, usual feeling of soreness, high risk to catch infections, etc.

While the above mentioned factors are also seen in the common asthmatic patients, the persons suffering with asthmatic bronchitis also show rather profound symptoms. These are those symptoms that show higher frequencies as compared to a common

Cold and Flu – an Epidemic We Don’t Need

Saturday, December 19th, 2009
Cold and Flu Prevention


It’s the season, or should we say this is not only seasonal, but could occur anytime of the year. Perhaps it doesn’t have to happen at all. Who has the time for it? Wellness Formula by Source Naturals, has every herb to enhance the body’s Healing Powers every day. We are more aware in these times of how to take care of ourselves, but even so the stress of modern day living takes it’s toll. Standing at guard is the centuries old Dr. Christopher’s Super Garlic Immune Formula, especially for those that can’t shake off the Cold and Flu and have re-occurring bouts. Since it comes in liquid, just put some in juice. A Sensational Remedy!

Now how about those that want to avoid garlic altogether. Planetary Formulas has Yin Chiao Classic, written up in the Chinese Materia Medica, unmatched with all those Chinese Herbs, you just may not come down with anything. It is also known to help with allergies. Oh you’ve heard about Snake Oil? In the covered wagon days in the 1800′s, the so-called medicine of that time, the one they claimed cures everything, was in a brown liquid bottle. Well known today as Echinacea and Goldenseal, it could be your first line of defense. Zand has the Insure Herbal in Orange and Banana flavor for the little ones. For more prevention and protection of our Immune System, and to fight off those bugs, Alpha CF by Boericke & Tafel is a serious Cold & Flu, Congestion Formula for all those miserable symptoms. Warding off and nipping them in the bud, before it starts to get cha is the very famous Oscillococcinum by Boiron Homeopathics, originally from France. Coughing also could be an issue here. For calming that cough which could lead to Bronchial conditions, Now Foods has Bronchial Support in Tincture, dealing with this on an ongoing basis. Biggest secret in Las Vegas is Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup by Planetary Formulas, also known as Rolling Thunder for those Horrendous Chest Coughs. Wild Cherry Throat Drops are Sugar Free and soothes the Throat. Chinese Tonic Herbs known as Astragalus Jade Screen by Planetary Formulas protect from Cold Wind, tones the body (wei) and (chi) immune defense, energize and warms and can be taken safely year round, particularly for those with weakness. A professional patented Silver-by-Silver Biotics in 10 PPM. You’ve heard of Silver? Not that kind! or 10 PPM. What does that mean? The smaller the silver particles are, the better absorption into your bloodstream. Silver is known since the 17th Century as a natural antibiotic that works with 650 conditions. Also Source Naturals has a Colloidal Silver Spray for Sore Throats for Red Stuffy Noses and dealing with Allergies and Sinus and Dust. Bioforce USA has Pollinosan Nasal Spray, and they also have a Sinna Nasal Spray for Colds & Flu.

Now we address the Ears. Source Naturals has an Earache Formula and Clear Products has the Stash Oz’s (Master Chinese Herbologist) Formula called Clear Sinus & Ear with a blend of Chinese Herbs and Homeopathics. Children can also take this in 1/2 adult dosage.

Here we will incorporate a few more suggestions such as Nutrition Now’s Zinc Lozenges in Raspberry and Orange, not yucky tasting. A Tea by Longjiang river Health called Luo Han Kuo (LHK) 20 Sachets per pack, which has been used in the Orient as an ingredient in soups or stews or beverages for Respiratory, Lung, congestion and other Discomforts. Keeping Our Defenses Up, Because There is A Better Way!

Is It a Cold or The Flu?

Click Here for more products for Cold and Flu

Written exclusively for Herbspro.com by Suma G Nathan, Certified Registered Holistic Nutritionist/Chinese Herbalist



Cold and Flu -causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Saturday, December 19th, 2009
Cold and Flu Treatment


What is Cold and Flu

Is it a cold or the flu? While a common cold, including chest cold and head cold, can be caused by more than 200 viruses, seasonal flu is caused by either influenza A or B viruses. Cold and flu remedies can usually ease symptoms. Antiviral medications like Relenza or Tamiflu are helpful if prescribed soon after flu symptoms start.Influenza (commonly known as the flu) and colds are among the most common infections of the respiratory system. People often confuse the two, calling a bad cold the “flu,” or vice versa.

Typically, the flu (also known as influenza) has symptoms that make a child feel worse than symptoms associated with a common cold, but it’s not always that easy to tell the difference between the two.

What are the causes of the flu?

Influenza viruses are divided into three types, designated A, B, and C. Influenza types A and B are responsible for epidemics of respiratory illness that occur almost every winter and are often associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death. Influenza type C differs from types A and B in some important ways.

The truth is, the flu and the common cold are caused by viruses. People get sick more often in the winter because they are exposed to each other more in the winter than in the summer. When it is cold outside, people tend to stay inside and are more likely to spread germs to one another.

The flu is caused by three types (strains) of viruses — influenza A, B and C. Type A is responsible for the deadly influenza pandemics (worldwide epidemics) that strike every 10 to 40 years. Type B can lead to smaller, more localized outbreaks. And either types A or B can cause the flu that circulates almost every winter. Type C has never been connected with a large epidemic.

Symptoms of Cold and Flu

Viral pharyngitis may develop gradually. It is often accompanied by the flu or a cold, and body aches. If a fever is present, it will generally be in the range of 101 degrees F or below.With cold symptoms, your nose teems with watery nasal secretions for the first few days. Later, these become thicker and darker. Dark mucus is natural and does not usually mean you have developed a bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection.

Recognizing the symptoms of the common cold is important for a few reasons. If you realize what symptoms are bothering you the most, you will know which medications will help relieve them.

Introduction to cold, flu, and allergy treatments

Every year, millions of people use over-the-counter (OTC) products to relieve nasal stuffiness and congestion, sneezing, runny noses, sore throat, and cough. The common causes of these symptoms include the viruses that cause the common cold, influenza virus, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and sinus infections (sinusitis).

ince it is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not work against the common cold. These types of upper respiratory infections go away on their own and taking antibiotics will not help your child get better any faster and will likely not prevent secondary bacterial infections, such as an ear infection or sinus infection.

For thick phlegm, patients may try cough medications that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin, Scot-Tussin Expectorant), which loosens mucus. Patients should not suppress coughs that produce mucus and phlegm; it is important to expel this substance. To loosen phlegm, patients should drink plenty of fluids and use a humidifier or steamer.Take paracetamol to control fever, aches and pains (adults can use aspirin). Early use of antiviral medication may shorten the length and severity of illness. Consult a doctor to discuss treatment.



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