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3 tips to combat cold and flu attacks

3 tips to combat cold and flu attacks

The common cold and flu are both viral infections that affect the respiratory tract. While the symptoms of the conditions are the same, the flu is more severe. Patients experience sore throats, congestion, coughing, chest pain, headaches, sneezing, and high fevers. Although the conditions are common, they can be fatal if not managed. Thankfully, there are many ways to control the symptoms of a cold and the flu. The top three ways are:

Begin the treatment
Once the symptoms start to show, you must consult with a certified health practitioner and start your treatment. Fever, aches, and chills are pretty common symptoms of the cold and flu. Two common treatments prescribed by the doctor, in this case, are XOFLUZA® and TAMIFLU®.

XOFLUZA®
It is a prescription treatment that is advised for people aged over 12 years. It is advised for people exhibiting the symptoms for not more than 48 hours. It is also prescribed for people aged 12 years and older who have been in touch with someone suffering from a cold or flu since the virus is highly contagious. Doctors do not prescribe this treatment for children below 12 years of age as it is still unknown if it is effective for kids in this age group.

TAMIFLU®
It is an antiviral treatment that fights the virus in the body, stopping it from multiplying. Though it is not a substitute for the flu vaccination, the treatment is effective for kids aged two weeks and older suffering from influenza. It is also advised for people aged one year and older to prevent cold and flu.

Foods to have to manage cold and flu
Being down and under the weather with the cold and the flu can leave you feeling fatigued and uninterested in food. But, to recover fast and effectively, you must consume the right food. Here is a list of food items that will help you:

Coconut Water
Coconut water is a source of electrolytes and is a savior for the dehydrated body, especially if you have been puking, running a fever, having diarrhea, etc. The natural sugar content also helps provide fast energy to the body. It is best to sip the water slowly, as too much can cause bloating.

Hot tea
The warmth of the tea helps decongest the throat and the chest. Do take care that the tea is not too hot and that it doesn’t bother the throat. The polyphenols in the tea also help due to their antioxidant nature.

Spicy foods
The capsaicin in peppers and chilies is an effective pain reliever and has a desensitizing effect. Consuming spicy foods helps clear the sinus passage, causing a runny nose.

Bananas
The potassium in the fruit help in electrolyte replenishment, while the fiber can stop diarrhea.

Oatmeal
As it contains tons of essential nutrients and calories, oatmeal can help support in speedy recovery of the patient.

Yogurt
This snack is good for the stomach and the digestive system, speeding up the healing process.

Foods that contain vitamin C
Oranges, strawberries, guavas, pineapples, and vegetables like tomatoes and broccoli are also excellent when you have a cold. Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants that strengthen the immune system. Fruits like strawberries contain anti-inflammatory anthocyanins and have antiviral and immune-boosting properties.

Vitamin E-rich foods
Almonds, sunflower seeds, blueberries, and whole grains also contain antioxidant properties that help you get back on your feet faster.

It is advisable to avoid foods like chocolates, sugary and sweetened drinks and beverages like juices and sodas, and fatty, fried foods like chips and onion rings. Staying away from greasy, carb-rich foods like pizzas is also a good idea when combating the cold and flu.

Home remedies to manage cold and flu

Hydration
It is essential to stay hydrated when recovering from a viral infection. Hot liquids help the chest, nose, and throat decongest. This, in turn, helps you get a good night’s sleep.

Sleep
One of the best ways to fight cold and flu is to sleep and give your body adequate rest. As you sleep, the body slows down, and its natural reparative mechanism takes over, helping the system heal faster.

Aromatherapy
Certain essential oils can make it easier for you to breathe through the nose as they clear the nasal passage. Pure oils of eucalyptus, camphor, and menthol are known to provide effective relief.

A steamy shower
When you take a steamy shower, it tends to provide relief to the nasal passage and keeps it moisturized. If you are unable to stand under the shower, you might use a chair and sit under it or take a sponge bath using warm water.

Gargling with warm salt water
The use of lukewarm salt water to gargle regularly throughout the day helps soothe an irritated and sore throat.

Nasal irrigation
Using salt water or saline water can combat nasal congestion pretty fast. Ensure that the water is warm as that will more effectively impair the virus. The method involves pouring the water into one nostril. It will enter the nasal cavity and come out of the other nostril. In the process, it cleans the cavity of mucus and viruses.

Conclusion
Colds and flu are common; however, they should be treated effectively for faster relief. Besides the treatment, you can try the home remedies suggested here for optimal recovery. Mild exercises and yoga as per doctor’s advice, proper meals, and a full night’s sleep will help the symptoms and benefit overall health.

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Migraine is a prevalent health condition in which a person experiences severe headaches, usually on one side of the head. There may also be other symptoms like sensitivity to light, tiredness, and nausea, which can last a few hours to two days. The ailment is triggered due to stress, certain foods, and other factors. While there is no cure for migraines, the following tips can help manage the symptoms effectively: Use the correct treatment options There are several treatments for migraines, but it is essential to choose the correct one after consulting a doctor. The popular options include: Nurtec ODT Nurtec ODT is an oral treatment that can help alleviate symptoms like headaches, pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light in adults. One can use Nurtec ODT on alternate days or as the doctor recommends. Its side effects include allergic reactions, trouble breathing, and rash. UBRELVY It is a fast-acting treatment option that blocks a specific protein in the body known to induce migraine attacks. One can consult a doctor to determine the dosage according to their condition. The most common side effects of UBRELVY are nausea and sleepiness. Excedrin Excedrin is suitable for temporary relief from migraine headaches. It can also treat aches caused by other factors, such as arthritis and toothaches.
Foods to be avoided by diabetes patients

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Food gets broken down into glucose by the body to release energy for its functioning. Most meal plans combine fats, proteins, sugars, and other essential carbohydrates vital for healthy growth and organ function. However, people with diabetes should be careful about seemingly healthy foods as it can trigger a spike in their blood glucose levels. Here are different foods that are bad for diabetes and should not be eaten regularly: Various foods that are bad for diabetes patients Fruit juices and other drinks Sugar consumption via beverages can spike insulin levels drastically. Did you know that lots of seemingly healthy store-bought fruit smoothies, sports drinks, bottled juices, and sodas can spike blood sugar levels too? Also, natural fruit juices are not necessarily a healthy option as they are high in fructose. Aside from this, cola, iced tea, lemonade, and other flavored beverages are excessively high in carbs, sugar, and fructose. Their regular consumption can trigger insulin resistance, forcing healthy cells to reject insulin and extract glucose for energy. Another crucial thing to remember is to avoid any type of spirit if you have diabetes. These contain empty calories and can worsen the condition significantly. Cereals, yogurt, and dried fruits Daily breakfast cereals are fortified with essential vitamins and nutrients that make up for a wholesome meal.
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Certain foods that are healthy for us may be beneficial for your cat. As a responsible cat parent, it is essential to be aware of the foods and their sources before slipping a morsel from your plate into your pet’s bowl. Ingestion of toxic foods can adversely affect the cat’s digestive system. Hence, it is advised to consult a vet for recommendations. Here is a list of human foods that are perfectly safe for cats: Meat Cats are carnivores by nature. Most of the commercial cat food in the market contains different meats, an excellent protein source. So, feeding them bits of cooked meats like beef, turkey, or chicken from your lunch plate is entirely alright. Make sure you limit the quantity of the meats. Overeating may cause digestive issues in cats. Salmon Cats love fish, and most vets recommend feeding them fish-based foods. They are a good source of omega-3 and other nutrients. Oily fish like tuna, salmon, or mackerel prove beneficial for their eyesight and joints. However, do not feed your feline straight from the can as they might lick it too aggressively, leading to cuts and bruises on their tongues. It’s best to feed them cooked fish without bones.
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Life isn’t fun when one can’t breathe properly. Years of unhealthy lifestyle habits and other factors can seriously affect the functions of the lungs, resulting in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and other respiratory diseases that decrease quality of life. Fortunately, one can manage these diseases and even prevent them altogether by incorporating certain foods into their meal plans. Here are some foods that can boost lung health: Beetroots When it comes to the health of the vital organ, beetroot and even its leaves are among the best foods anyone can have. That’s mainly because both beetroot and beet greens are rich in nitrates, which help relax blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, and optimize oxygen uptake. Beet greens are full of nutrients essential to lung functions, such as vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and carotenoid antioxidants. To benefit from beets, add them to salads or make beet juice. Turmeric This yellow spice has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. Curcumin, the main component in turmeric, is behind all the health benefits. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial characteristics can make turmeric extremely useful for improving lung function and aiding in conditions such as asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis.
3 foods to avoid for better lung health

3 foods to avoid for better lung health

Strengthening the lungs can help one avoid respiratory issues and diseases. Even when diagnosed with a lung-related illness, making significant changes to the lifestyle and food regimen can help people manage the symptoms and restore lung function. However, it is equally important to avoid the food items that damage these organs and cause issues like inflammation, sneezing, and wheezing. Here are a few foods to avoid to improve lung health: Salty food Foods with excessive salt should be avoided as their long-term consumption can have severe consequences on the overall health. Excess sodium in such food items can enlarge the muscles of the heart, cause headaches, increase blood pressure, and lead to a wide range of kidney-related issues like stones. Such foods can also have a negative effect on the health of the lungs and have been linked to an increased risk of bronchitis. Additionally, too much salt in meals can also worsen the symptoms of respiratory issues like asthma. This is because sodium can cause fluid retention, leading to shortness of breath in those with lung diseases. To reduce its intake, one should start by limiting salt in their meals and instead add more herbs and spices as seasoning.

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