Cold and flu are the most commonly occurring illnesses in the entire world, with more than 1 billion colds per year reported in the United States alone. The common cold is a self-limit
ed illness caused by any 1 of more than 200 viruses. You usually do not need to call your doctor if you catch a cold. For more severe symptoms or a prolonged duration of symptoms, you should visit your doctor. An office visit will usually be fine.
I. How to protect yourself from cold and flu
1. Stop stress - Pushing yourself too hard depresses the immune system. When your defenses are down, you are vulnerable to a cold or flu virus.
2. Healthy diet - A healthy diet is important to keep your immune system strong. Avoid junk food and consume more fruits, vegetables and plenty of non-caffeinated liquids.
3. Taking vitamin C daily - During cold season, taking extra vitamin C helps to strengthen your defenses against cold viruses. This helps to reduce the severity of cold symptoms. Be sure to wash your hand after using any office equipment, especially when one of your co-workers have colds.
II. If you have a cold
1. Drink a lot of hot fluids Traditionally, a family member who has cold or flu is only allowed to take hot chicken soup and chicken congee, avoiding all the hard to digest and cold foods. No one knows why but it works more effectively. Hot tea also keep the nasal passages open.
2. Take an antihistamine to relieve stuffy nose.
3. Treat coughs with the right cough medicine Coughs that produce phlegm can be treated by the ingredient guaifenesin which loosens the mucus that causes you to cough. If you have a dry and irritating cough, dextromethorphan might be used to suppress it during the night so you can sleep. Unless absolutely necessary do not use antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics do more harm than good to your body.
III. Prevention and Treatment with Foods
A.Here are some foods that can be eaten regularly so you can strengthen up your immune system and kill the bugs before they can attack.
1. Chicken soup
No one knows how, but it works. It was nothing compared to the improvement after intake of chicken soup, our body might need to negate the effects of steam from hot water and hot chicken soup. If you look closer to any chicken soup recipe, you can see there are a lot of garlic, onions, peppers, etc which are natural remedies helping to improve immune system.
2. Contessa
Mix regular tea with 1 teaspoon of honey, congac, butter each and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and drink them while it is hot before bed time. You will see the difference when you wake up in the morning.
3. Honey and apple cider vinegar
Mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and an equal amount of honey. It is particularly effective for a cold with a sore throat.
4. Tea, cinnamon, sage and bay leaves
Prepare tea by steeping equal parts of cinnamon, sage, and bay leaves in hot water. Strain and before drinking the tea add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and honey.
5. Sunflower seeds
Boil 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds in 5 cups of water until there is about 2 cups of water left in the pot. Then add 2 cups of honey and 1/2 cup of gin. Take 2 teaspoons three times a day just before mealtime.
6. Drink a lot of non dairy liquid, so you can keep flushing out your system.
B. Prevention and Treatment with Nutritional Supplements
Here are some nutrients that have proven record of preventing cold and flu. Keep these nutrients in mind when the cold and flu season comes.
1. Vitamin C
This nutrient strengthens the immune system, accelerating its ability to combat harmful substances. Bowel tolerance doses can be taken orally and more can be taken with out this effect when administered intravenously.
2. Bioflavonoids
Working together with vitamin C, Bioflavonoids assists in the management of cold and flu by reducing the severity and duration of symptoms, helping to maintain and strengthen capillary and connective tissues. It also has an effectiveness of relieving varicose and surface veins.
3.DHEA
This adrenal hormone offers immune enhancing qualities and helps fight viruses.
4.Zinc
Zinc plays an important role in preventing and treating cold and flu. It is required by the thymus gland that is a major link in the immune system, helping to produce highly differentiated and educated cells that can fight off the onslaught of new bacteria and viruses.
5. Shark liver oil
Seagate shark liver oil has one of the highest natural levels of Omega 3 fatty acids in the world. Deficiencies in these fatty acids have been noticed in studies involving people having nervous disorders. Shark liver oil also helps in boosting the production of virus fighting cytokines and alkylglycerols make shark liver oil the natural fighter of antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal forces.
6.Melatonin
Melatonin has the ability to trigger T-helper-cell production. T-helper-cells are necessary for the immune system in recognizing cancer cells, viruses, bacteria and fungi.
There are many more nutrients which have a power in strengthening your immune system, helping to fend of cold and flu such as medical mushroom, gamma- Linoleic acid, and etc.
C. Prevention and Treatment with With Herbs
Here are some herbs that might help to prevent cold and flu:
1.Echinacea
Echinacea boosts the immune system to help prevent cold, flu, allergies and minor upper respiratory infections therefore it has an effectiveness of treating cold, flu & sinus relief.
3.Greentea
Green tea contains antioxidants that can help to boost immune function, therefore with immune system strengthening substances green tea protects your body from getting cold or flu. A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea as a capsule experienced 23% less of getting cold and flu overall and 36% fewer sick days.
4.Goldenseal
Goldensea provides nutrients that enhance the immune system and help fight the cold and flu, shortening the duration of colds and flu. It also is one of the most popular herbal combinations for respiratory issues, used by Native Americans for centuries.
5.Astragalus
Astralagus has been used in Asia to prevent cold and flu for more than 2,000 years. This herb stimulates the body's production of interferon, which is a potent immune protein that boosts your ability to fight infections and diseases.
6.Peppermint
Peppermint is an expectorant and a decongestant. It may offer some relief for mild asthma attacks, lessening bronchial constriction and making it easier to breathe. Peppermint promotes sweating, which could possibly help regulate body temperature during a fever, which is good news during cold and flu season.
D. Treatment with Homeopathy
Homeopathy have been proven to help relieve cold or flu. The homeopathy physician analyzes many factors, including the speed of onset of symptom, sensation, how the patient looks and his or her mental state.
1.Early stages of cold and flu
a) Aconite
This remedy is often prescribed for robust people, as well as those who eat meat often. Only 30c pellets under the tongue is needed to get a cold to disappear.
b) Belladonna
Belladonna is a remedy for serious symptoms of cold, flu, infection and sore throat.
c) Ferrum phosphoricum
This remedy is for people with a weak immune system. Cold and flu symptoms are not vague but uncomfortable. There might be a slight earache, running nose and a mild sore throat.
2. Mid-stage of cold and flu
a) Allium Cepa
People with mid stage of cold are given allium cepa when their eyes are watery and clear but nose is red and irritated. Other symptoms include multiple sneezes and burning nasal discharge.
b)Natrum Muriaticum
Person has a thick, clear fluid discharge that resembles raw egg white. Lips are dry and cracked with cold sores on the side or outside of the mouth.
3. For advanced stages of cold and flu
a) Arsenicum Album
People with symptoms of burning eyes, sinus, irritation in the nose, sneezing, extreme chill, restlessness and fever. This person feels worse at night and better in the morning.
b) Mercurius vivus
The cold is already in the advanced stage and the immune system is weakened. People have soar throats that feel with swallowing, as well as sneezing, bad cough, and night sweats.
c) Hepar Sulph
This remedy helps deep colds and flu when this turns into infection and sinusitis. The person is very chilly and there is often mucus in the lung with thick and yellow discharge. Antibiotics may be used.
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Cold and Flu - Protection, Prevention and Treatment