from the Flu and Cold Health Center
The best defense against illness is a good offense. Smart health habits can go a long way in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu. Protect yourself and your children from getting sick by practicing these healthy habits:
- Wash your hands frequently. Ordinary soap is sufficient. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Antibacterial soaps add little protection, particularly against viruses. In fact, a study suggests that although hand washing with soap reduced the number of pneumonia-related infections in children under five by 50 percent, there was no difference in the results when antibacterial soap was used instead of regular soap.
- Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, or cover your mouth and nose with your upper sleeve, not your hand.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Refrain from touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs often spread when you touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Remind your kids not to share cups, eating utensils and school supplies, such as pens and pencils.
- Stay home if you or your children are sick to avoid spreading the virus to others. Additionally, staying home and getting adequate rest will help you get back on your feet faster.
- Avoid close contact with sick people when possible. If your child attends day care or school, make sure children and staff are encouraged to stay home when they are sick. If your child’s play date is sick, reschedule. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Add germ-fighting foods to your diet. Click here for ideas.
- Practice other good health habits and keep your family’s immune system strong throughout the year:
- Prepare low-fat, balanced meals packed with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein like fish, soy and beans.
- Choose natural, unprocessed foods whenever possible.
- Don’t smoke.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get active as a family and plan fun activities.
- Manage stress.
Symptom Relief Reminders. While a cold or flu must run its course, there are things you can do to ease the symptoms. If your child gets sick, encourage him or her to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids, preferably water and noncaffeinated drinks. This will help with hydration and the ability to fight the infection.
Other suggestions to keep in mind include:
- Gargle with salt water to soothe a sore throat.
- Use a humidifier to moisten the air and help ease congestion and coughing. Be sure to clean the filter often so that mold doesn’t grow.
- Several studies have found that zinc lozenges may reduce the length and intensity of colds and flu, and that nasal zinc gel appears to reduce the length and intensity of illnesses related to those viruses. Zinc nasal spray does not show the same effects, however. Consult with your health care professional for more information.
Click here for five more tips on fighting a cold naturally.
For more information on the health topics mentioned in this article visit the HealthyWomen.org areas below.
Flu and Cold Health Center: www.healthywomen.org/healthcenter/flu-and-cold
Flu/Colds: www.healthywomen.org/condition/flucolds
Family Health and Wellness Guide: www.healthywomen.org/ages-and-stages/family-health-and-wellness-guide
© 2011 HealthyWomen All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from HealthyWomen. 1-877-986-9472 (tollfree). On the Web at: www.HealthyWomen.org.
Comments
To add a comment to the original post, click here.
You must be signed in to post a comment.
Sign in nowVery interesting points are explained about aging and our health. These are very helpful in maintaining healthy life.
I hope these ideas are helpful in burning the calories and strengthen the body up to some extent. Nice tips.
It is very important to lower the cholesterol in maintaining healthy body. I hope the above mentioned tips are very helpful to lower the cholesterol.
Oh! It is very interesting to read. I have really impressed by reading this post.
Fixing up your daily is really important to tackle stress. I had gone through all this when someone gave me this suggestion and believe me it had really worked.
The Most Diet & Fitness Center (DFC) is help full to improve the respected treatment
those who are overweight or obese or need help.
the therapeutic residential weight management program helps people affected by excess
weight and impaired physical fitness achieve better health through weight loss, physical
conditioning, and improved self-care habits.
These centers are designed for adults those who dedicated to education about and
exploration of major components of successful lifestyle change including nutrition,
fitness, behavioral health, medical management, and ongoing support.
AmadaHomeCare is part of American Board of Home Care (ABHC) which offers 24 hours home
care service for serving seniors with extraordinary home care, health aids and elderly
companionship in Orange County.
For more info,visit:(http://www.amadahomecare.com).
staying physically active and exercising regularly can help prevent or delay many diseases
and disabilities. Scientists find that even moderate exercise and physical activity can
improve the health of people who are frail, or who have diseases that accompany aging.
Exercise and physical activity are among the healthiest things you can do for yourself,
but some older adults are reluctant to exercise. Some are afraid that exercise will be
too strenuous, or that physical activity will harm them. Yet, studies show that exercise
is safe for people of all age groups and that older adults hurt their health far more by
not exercising than by exercising.
An inactive lifestyle can cause older people to lose ground in four areas that are
important for staying healthy and independent: STRENGTH, BALANCE, FLEXIBILITY and ENDURANCE
. But research suggests that exercise and physical activity can help older people maintain
or partly restore these four areas.
Visit:(http://www.amadahomecare.com) For getting information about the health care services.
You give some excellent tips for reducing stress. I would recommend moderate exercise even more highly. Moderate exercise should ideally be done every day of the week. It can be done for as little as 10 minutes at a time and it will still be beneficial.
The Lady Hospitals is the first and foremost exclusive Woman’s healthcare and surgical center in the state of Karnataka.One that is committed to transform the healthcare for women of all ages with the best preventive and curative care. This is backed by the state-of-the-art technology, vibrant infrastructure with latest safety and hygiene standards.
Also heart palpitations, irregular periods, headaches, and on and on! Menopause, so far, not much fun! More symptoms here: http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/perimenopause.aspx