logo

Today's the Day: Blog

The Common Cold...

Posted: Thursday, April 9th, 2009

Chocolate, live bunnies and Kurt in a gigantic bunny suit!!!! Today's show had it all. I like the theory, give all the kids bags and boxes full of chocolate and then send them home with their parents...

Today's segment focused on the common cold. Many thanks to Dr. Allison Geffen for forwarding the following information for today's blog: 

Tips to Fight the Common Cold
Dr. Allison Geffen

WHAT IS THE COMMON COLD?

-          The common cold is caused by a highly contagious virus that infects your upper respiratory tract – your nose and throat

-          Although the most common virus is the "rhinovirus", there are over 200 viruses that can cause the common cold, and that’s why symptoms may vary  (between runny nose, sore throat, cough, watery eyes, sneezing and congestion)

-          It really is "common" – with most adults getting 2-4 times a year, and your children as often as 6-10 times  a year (children haven’t yet developed resistance to most of the viruses, and are in close contact with other kids and aren’t good at washing frequently or covering their coughs and sneezes).

 HOW TO AVOID THE COMMON COLD? – “2 PRONG STRATEGY”

-         Although there isn’t a cure for the common cold there is a “2 Prong Strategy” to  prevent it: 1st REDUCE EXPOSURE TO GERMS AND 2ND BOOST YOUR IMMUNE:

WAYS TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO GERMS:

  1. WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY – either with soap & water or with an instant sanitizer (like Purel) frequently, before eating or preparing food, after nose-wiping, toileting, etc.
  2. DISINFECT – clean commonly touched surfaces, (sink handles, door handles, kitchen, bathroom, wash toys frequently
  3. Use PAPER TOWELS and tissues - instead of shared cloth towels
  4. DON'T SHARE – utensils, cups…
  5. AVOID – PEOPLE with colds and avoid TOUCHING your nose, mouth and face.
  6.   HYDRATION – FLUIDS help flush out toxins so ensure your liquid intake is high
  7. AIR IT OUT – OPEN WINDOWS (and get ducts cleaned) to let fresh air in and germs out 

WAYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM:

  1. SLEEP – "catch more zzzzzz" – studies show that when they exposed healthy volunteers to a cold virus, those with less than 7 hours a night were 3x more likely to catch a cold than those who slept for 8 or more hours! (In fact, those who had a poor total sleep time had 4x the risk compared with those who fell asleep quickly and slept soundly).
  2. "DE – STRESS" / RELAX – persistent stress weakens your immune system…so try yoga.
  3. EXERCISE /BE ACTIVE –  well known benefits of regular exercise to energy level and immune system.
  4. HEALTHY DIET WITH VITAMIN C sources, dark leafy veg, reds and yellows and berries too, LOTS FLUIDS and perhaps probiotic  YOGOURTS
  5. AVOID SMOKING AND SMOKE
  6. AVOID UNNECESSARY ANTIBIOTICS (increases risk of more resistant bacteria in the future)
  7. BREASTFEED  - decreases colds in babies
  8. (and don’t bother with Echinacea)

 WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE YOUR DOCTOR?

-         Most people recover from a common cold in about a week or two

-          If symptoms don’t improve or if develop red flag symptoms you should see your doctor  - (fever, short of breath, etc.).

I wish everyone a healthy and happy long weekend….Happy Easter and Happy Passover!!!!

Previous Entries:

 
airtime
 

Instant Poll

After you prepared for a major natural disaster like an earthquake?

Yes
No
 

Contests & Features

feature feature feature feature feature feature