Common Sense for the Common Cold and Flu

Kids are back in school and that often means one thing - cold season is near. Whether you have kids or not, the spread of germs during this time of increased personal contact affects us all To have some basic strategies of awareness, prevention, and treatment saves you a world of trouble this season.

Cold, or flu?  Colds are most often bacterial in nature and are usually confined to the upper respiratory tract (Eyes, ears, nose, and throat).  Chills, headache, and sometimes fever can sometimes compound matters. If the cold doesn't resolve it can move into the chest and result in bronchitis, a more difficult situation to manage.

While colds are generally milder, flu can sideline someone for days or weeks at a time. Generally caused by the influenza virus, flu symptoms include muscle aches, malaise, and exhaustion, and can include any or all of the common cold symptoms as well. Sound fun? I don't think so either, so here's what to do:

Get enough rest. Getting to sleep earlier as the days get shorter is a key strategy to battle infectious bugs.

Avoid sugar. Refined sweeteners take on many forms (see: http://toolstolife.com/article/A-Sweetener-by-Any-Other-Name--Is-Still-a-Sweetener-22 ) All of them suppress your body's ability to prevent and battle a cold or flu.

Nature's immune boosters.  Mother Nature has granted us a variety of healthy berries, herbs, and veggies.  Up your intake of garlic, oregano, turmeric (see: http://toolstolife.com/article/A-Sweetener-by-Any-Other-Name--Is-Still-a-Sweetener-22), miso, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, seaweed, citrus, and blueberries. 

Wash up!  Countless studies support regular hand washing as one of the first lines of defense against colds and flu. Careful also to keep hands away from your eyes and nose.

Get proper exercise. Key word here is ‘proper'. Too much can be as bad as not enough. Your body needs to move - every day. Just be sure to listen to your own individual needs.

Chill out.  Stress weakens your body's defenses (see: http://toolstolife.com/article/Comfort-Foods-and-Holiday-Blues-24 ) so find strategies to handle life's daily challenges in a harmonious way.

Hydrate.  I know you drink water, but are you hydrated? If the skin on the back of your hand wrinkles easily when you pull it up, chances are you're dehydrated and at risk of getting sick.

Take a breath. Fresh air is often limited in cold weather, but it's essential you go out of your way to get it. I don't need to tell you how bad second-hand smoke is.

Fever is not your enemy. Your internal furnace makes an unfriendly environment for viruses and bacteria, so careful not to pill pop at the first sign of a fever. A little discomfort for a few days can mean the difference between a short-term inconvenience and a lingering, nasty ordeal.

Healthiest regards,

Dr. Carlos