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How to Tell if You Have the Flu

Winter is a bad season for colds and flu. People generally spend most of their time in close quarters with others. Thus, this makes it more likely to spread germs with each other. Winter often brings the dreaded sneezing and coughing and more for many of us.

We all are especially afraid of catching the flu in the winter. The flu is scary especially since we have heard about flu outbreaks killing people in so many places in the world. Usually, though, the flu just takes you out of commission for awhile.

If you are aware of the symptoms of the flu you can get to your doctors earlier for the right medicine. You also can avoid coming into contact with friends and family members so you don’t give them the flu. Once you know you have the flu, the important thing is for you to take care of yourself so you can get better faster.

The following are common flu symptoms:

*The flu usually comes with a fever of over 100. This is not true of the common cold. While a fever is usually not dangerous, it can be if it goes over 106. If that happens, call your doctor right away.

*Often the first sign of the flu will be aches and pains in your arms and legs that just make you feel uncomfortable. The aches and pains can be pretty bad, and they are usually the first indicator that you may have the flu.

*We all get headaches so headaches alone do not mean that you have the flu. The thing you should watch for is if your headaches are followed by other flu symptoms. You might also experience pain whenever you try to move your eyes.

*A big symptom of the flu is the tired, worn down feeling. You just have no energy and feel like lying around all day.

*Children are more likely to suffer from vomiting and diarrhea then adults are. Adults often just have no appetite when they have the flu.

*Sore throats, a hacking cough and a nose that won’t stop running are all symptoms of the flu. When you have the flu, these symptoms may not show up till a day or so in, after your fever has gone down.

No one wants to catch the flu so you need to do what you can to avoid it. It’s good to know what to look for so if you do get the flu, you can get treatment immediately and avoid passing the flu virus on to others.

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The Difference Between a Flu and a Cold

We all end up sick at some point in the year. It is probably more likely to happen in the winter but it can happen any time of the year really. It can be difficult to determine if you have a cold or the flu when you do get sick.

The same virus does not cause a cold and the flu. Influenza A or B is the virus responsible for flu while there is no limit to the number of different cold viruses that can infect us. This really only matters to your doctor, though. You really need to know what the different symptoms are for the flu and a cold and how to tell them apart.

Cold Symptoms

• A phlegm producing cough
• Nose problems like sneezing, stuffiness and irritation
• No fever or a very low fever
• You start to feel bad over a period of a few days, not right away

Flu Symptoms

• Chills and a fever of over 100 and up to 104 degrees
• A dry hacking cough
• Tiredness and muscle pain, which may be severe
• Aches and discomfort in your head
• Sudden symptoms that get worse quickly

Treating a Cold or Flu

You really can’t do much for a common cold except let it work its way through your body. There are over-the-counter medicines that will reduce your symptoms. Most colds last no longer than 10 days. Any longer and you should go to the doctor to make sure there isn’t something else going on like a bacterial infection.

The flu can be diagnosed easily with a quick test by your doctor. If you get to the doctor fast enough, you may be able to take a prescription to reduce the severity and length of the flu. The best thing to do for a flu is take it easy and stay hydrated until your symptoms go away, which can be a week or two if no prescription is taken. The flu can turn into something worse like pneumonia so listen to your doctor carefully and do what your doctor says.

If you get a flu shot, you can reduce but not eliminate your chances of getting the flu. Flu vaccines only work for certain strains of the flu so if you catch one not included in the shot, you will still get sick. Eat well and don’t get overtired if you don’t get a flu shot to reduce your chances of getting the flu. If a family member gets the flu, you may be able to take antiviral medicine to keep you from getting it as well.

The flu is much more serious than the common cold. You need to be educated about what symptoms to look for so you can get treated for the right thing as quickly as possible so don’t wait too long to go to the doctor.

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Save a Life: Give Blood

If you had the chance to save another person’s life, wouldn’t you take action without thinking twice about it? It is in our nature to want to help people and save them whenever possible. You actually have this opportunity right now…by donating blood. Giving blood is something anyone can do and it will save a life.

The blood supply in most places is so low that it would only last a few days in a true emergency. Very few people give blood on a regular basis. In fact less than 5% of those who can give blood willingly do so. Because of the low number of blood donors, the blood supply in most places only last for three days. The blood at the blood banks is only good for 42 days. It is easy to see how they are always low on blood. In many cases, certain blood types are in critical shortages.

What is Done with the Donated Blood?

Many people think that blood donations are used for emergency situations like accidents. While the donated blood is used for these, donated blood isn’t exclusively used for these. There are other situations wherein donated blood is used. The following are some other common uses for blood donations.

*When a person has an aneurysm, a blood vessel breaks in his body and so he loses a lot of blood. This type of patient may need as much as 4 or 6 units of blood after an aneurysm bursts.

*A bone marrow transplant is done when someone with cancer or another illness needs to replace their bone marrow. Bone marrow recipients must get blood infusions for about a month after their surgery as well as platelet infusions every day for four to six weeks.

*Diseases of the blood like anemia may require a person to undergo frequent blood transfusions to replace the bad blood in his system.

*Sometimes people with cancer are required to have daily blood transfusions of as much as 2 to 6 units of red blood cells and platelets every day over several weeks for their treatment.

*When a person has had an organ transplant, often blood is needed to make up for the blood lost during the surgery. How much blood is needed depends on what organ is affected.

*During birth, a situation can arise that would require either the mother or baby or both to need a blood transfusion. Babies born early also often need blood transfusions.

In just under an hour you can save a life and help one of the millions and millions of people who need blood every year. Donating bloods is an easy way to make a difference. Give blood as often as you can. When you give blood, you have no idea who you are helping but you can be sure that those people you’ve helped will be grateful and so will their family and loved ones.

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Diagnosing Autism

Autism is a relatively new phenomenon and has had an official name only for the last 60 or so years. Approximately one out of every 150 children will be diagnosed with autism. Of course, parents want to know as much as possible so they can be aware of possible symptoms.

Just recently are scientists and doctors really beginning to understand autism and there is a lot more research being done right now. While doctors do not understand everything about autism, they can tell us what symptoms to be aware of and watch for in our kids. Awareness of the symptoms of autism has increased the number of cases caught early on and that is important because early detection is vital to treating autism.

Often parents of autistic children just think their children aren’t reaching their milestones at the same speed as other children. If we educate people on autism, they will be able to tell slow development from autistic behavior. The early you can start treatment for autism the better. The following are some symptoms to watch out for in your child:

Autistic children often have problems with social skills and they do not do well in social situations. This could manifest itself as a late talking or not talking at all child or a child that communicates in a way different from others. An autistic child may also display a lack of empathy, not make eye contact and not respond when being called by name. Also, autistic children usually prefer to play alone and avoid group situations.

Autistic children often show signs of obsessive compulsive behaviors and repeat the same behaviors over and over. They might say a word or phrase repeatedly or play with their hair in the exact same way over and over. More severe symptoms could include biting or head banging.

Autistic children do not deal with a lot of stimulation in their environment. They have an extreme sensitivity to touch, sound and any others normal sensation. They can become very upset and out of control if exposed to a lot of noise. They generally don’t want to be hugged or held because of their sensory issues. Also, some autistic children have little or no sense of pain which can be dangerous.

If your child has one or more of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean that you should assume your child is autistic. It means that you should have your child checked out by a doctor to determine what is going on. Don’t put off seeing the doctor because early detection is important in treating autism. The earlier therapies and treatments start, the better the chance of slowing down the speed at which the symptoms of autism worsen. It is also easier for families to deal with when there is an early diagnosis.

There is no magic cure that will take autism away from your child. Research is always being done, though, to understand the causes and how to treat autism so there is hope for the future.

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Sleep Problems? Do-It-Yourself Treatments

Trouble sleeping is a common complaint and popular reason for a visit to the doctor. Some people may be reluctant to visit the doctor for this problem, however, because they don’t want to take sleeping pills with side effects or are afraid of becoming dependent on the pills. There are home treatments for sleep problems that might help.

Herbs and other homeopathic substances have always been used to help people with sleep problems. Here are some of the substances that are commonly used.

*Valerian root reduces anxiety and stress levels, allowing you to fall asleep and feel more rested. Since there are no negative side effects, valerian root is one of the more commonly used herbs.

*The scent of lavender is so relaxing and helps reduce stress as well. There are many ways to use lavender, including store-bought products and fresh lavender, to help you sleep.

*Kava Kava, when taken before you go to sleep, can reduce your stress level and help you relax so you can fall asleep. Depending on how much you take, this herb can be very potent.

Not all products advertised as natural are automatically safe for you to use. You need to find out as much as possible about an herb or other natural medicine before you start taking it.

Often people will have a nice hot relaxing cup of tea to help them sleep. You may not be aware of the food items that have the same properties. Many proteins including eggs, chicken and fish contain tryptophan, a substance found to promote relaxation and to treat sleep problems. Most of us have heard of the tryptophan because of the effect turkey has on us after a big Thanksgiving dinner. This substance is also the reason that a warm glass of milk from mom always helped you sleep.

Tryptophan works best when combined with complex carbohydrates and calcium. These other substances reduce the interference from other chemicals in your body and help with absorption of tryptophan.

We all try to add things to our nightly routine like warm milk or a hot bath to help us sleep. What we often don’t think about is how we need to take out the caffeine products and alcohol before bedtime. Caffeine and alcohol can cause trouble falling and staying asleep.

All the herbs in the world won’t help if you don’t set up a regular sleep schedule with a set bedtime and set time to wake up every day. By following a sleeping schedule, you are actually teaching your body how to sleep. The more regimented your schedule is, which means no staying up late and sleeping in on weekends, all the better. When your body learns to recognize when it needs rest, you’ll sleep better. The better you sleep at night, the better your whole day will be!

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Donating Your Organs is Easy

One of the greatest things you can do for others is to be an organ donor. Maybe you have thought about it and would like to donate your organs but you are confused as to how to make sure that happens. Donating your organs is a lot easer than you think.

The following tips will help you make sure your organs are donated.

*Do some research on how the organ donor registry works in your home state. In some states, it is as easy as signing up when you go to renew your driver’s license. Other states might have a different process for donor organ registration. All states try and make the process as simple as possible to encourage people to donate their organs.

*When you register to donate your organs, you can chose to donate all your organs or specify which ones you would like to donate. Think about this before you go to register.

*Sometimes, your driver’s license will have a spot to tell emergency responders that you are an organ donor. If yours doesn’t, you can get an organ donation card that will let everyone know what your wishes are.

*In most states, your family is able to make the decision to donate your organs for you should something happen to you. Talk to your family and make sure they know you want to donate your organs. You don’t want them to be confused about your wishes should something happen to you.

*A good way to be sure that your wishes regarding organ donation are honored, put a clause in any will you have stating what organs you want donated or that you want them all donated. This will avoid any arguments about what your wishes really were.

*Consider donating an organ while you are still alive. You can save a life now by donating a kidney, liver or even part of your lung or pancreas and still lead a pretty normal life. Usually these living donations are between family members but you do hear of people donating to people they have never met from time to time.

If you want to be an organ donor, do whatever you need to do now to make sure that it happens. Tell your family members about your plans and take whatever legal steps are necessary. Giving an organ to someone gives them back their life and they will forever be grateful for your donation.

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The Importance of Breast Self-Exams

All women should be doing regular breast self-exams. A self-exam is usually how you are going to notice a change in your breasts or a lump. Mammograms and exams by doctors are also important but regular breast self-exams can save your life because you know your breasts and you will know when there is a problem. All women should know how to properly do a breast self-exam and how often it should be done.

Before you start feeling for lumps, you need to do the first step of a breast self-exam, which is to stand in front of a mirror and look at your breasts. Look at them both with your arms in the air and with your arms down by your side. Here is what you are looking for:

*Look for a major difference or a difference that wasn’t there before. A breast that is growing at a different rate could signal a problem. You also don’t want to see any visible lumps.

*Look for any rashes or color difference in your breasts.

*Look for any ripples or bulges. You also don’t want to see any dimples or changes in your nipples.

*Look for any leaking of liquid from your nipples.

You’ll need to examine your breasts both in a standing position and also while laying flat on your back. It is helpful to do this while taking a shower since your skin is soapy and you’ll be more likely to feel a lump.

Now you are ready to do the self-exam. Raise one arm behind your back and feel all the way around the breast on that size. Touch each spot hard enough and long enough to feel any lumps or anything else unusual. Use varying amounts of pressure to feel all the way through the breast tissue. Make sure you examine the entire breast in whatever pattern works for you.

We all have small lumps in our breasts that have always been there. You really don’t need to be concerned unless you notice a new lump or a lump begins to change size. If you find something suspicious, your doctor will probably want to check to make sure it isn’t cancerous. Most lumps aren’t though.

Doing regular breast self-exams will make you aware of how your breasts should feel so you’ll notice if something is wrong. You need to focus on any changes that may have occurred since your last exam. The more breast self-exams you do, the easier it will be to tell if there is something to be concerned about.

If you are concerned about the number of lumps in your breast or want to be sure you notice any changes you could make notes after each exam. Then, you can refer back to your notes at the next breast self-exam so you’ll know what you are looking for. A note or a drawing can make a big difference. You can also discuss your notes with your doctor.

Your breasts are slightly different at different times of the month. The best time to do a breast self- exam so you can really feel a problem is shortly after your period has ended. Pick a time of the month and stick to it. This will help because you’ll notice changes more easily and also it’ll be easier to remember. You still need to see your doctor yearly and get a mammogram regularly but don’t forget about breast self-exams.

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Eat Right, Get Healthy Skin

We all see the ads in magazines and on TV everyday for the magic face creams and lotions that will make our skin glow. You can spend a small fortune on these products and some of the wacky devices they advertise. What they don’t tell you is that the key to healthy skin is not on the outside, it’s on the inside. The following is some advice about what to eat to keep your skin looking great.

The best thing you can do for your skin is not to eat any certain food, it’s to drink enough water. When your body is hydrated, the cells are able to do their job and remove waste. If the cells don’t get enough water, you will see dull and unhealthy looking skin and maybe even some bloating in your face. Another thing that will happen is your skin will get dry and begin to itch.

Vitamins A, C and E are essential to a healthy, glowing skin. Your body needs to be in top working shape in order for your skin to look its best. The vitamins work by getting rid of free radicals from your body and from the air outside that can ruin even the best skin. Even better than taking vitamins is eating a well balanced diet full of fresh produce and foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Getting enough fiber will also help your skin look great.

You should stay away from foods that are going to make your skin dull and lifeless. These include processed foods with a lot of sugar that cause a build up of toxins in your body. Over time this build up will affect all parts of your body including your skin. Stay away from those convenient frozen meals at the grocery store and start cooking your meals from scratch with healthy ingredients. Your skin and your whole body will thank you.

Skin problems like acne or rashes can sometimes be caused by an allergic reaction to a certain food. If you notice breakouts happening over and over again, consider keeping a food diary so you can see what foods you are eating around the time of the breakouts. Keep a record of the foods you eat and every reaction you experience. You may find that there is a link between the food you are eating and your skin issues. If so, you can solve the skin problems by watching what foods you eat.

While taking care of your skin from the inside is important, you also have to protect it on the outside as well. Use a good quality moisturizer every day and keep your skin out of extreme weather like heat, cold and wind when possible.

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Soda - More Harm than Good

Every morning thousands of people go to their local gas station and fill a giant cup with soda to start their day. They think that drinking more than a cupful of caffeine will help get them through the day and give them some extra energy. If you’re in the habit of drinking soda every day, know that soda can actually cause you to feel more tired!

The caffeine and sugar in sodas makes you feel a little more alert and awake with the first few drinks. What happens then, though, is the insulin in your body decreases and when the sugar from the soda wears off you actually feel worse than before. Drinking a soda without any food to go with it just gives your body a big sugar rush but you don’t absorb the sugar.

Eating some food with the soda helps this a little bit. When you do accompany drinking soda with eating other foods, your body becomes slow in absorbing the sugar. The insulin your pancreas produces can’t keep up with all the sugar coming in so much of the sugar remain in your blood stream, which explains why you will feel a little energized. This is short lived, though, and sooner you’ll soon feel tired because the sugar rush is over.

Some people think that drinking diet soda is better since it doesn’t have real sugar. However, diet sodas have a sugar substitute that acts like sugar in our body and can make you want to eat and drink more sugary things.

Avoiding diet sodas and regular sodas will decrease your sugar intake, which will make you feel better naturally. You’ll have more energy to work out and it will be easier to lose weight.

One side effect of drinking soda may be increased stress hormones in your body. What happens is the caffeine reacts with your hormones, especially your stress hormones. The more soda you drink, the more stress you will be putting on your body. Skipping that soda will decrease the level of stress hormones in your body and you will feel better and have more energy.

Another side effect of soda can be sleep problems. Caffeine is a stimulant so it can interact with your brain and keep you awake at night. You may have trouble falling asleep and also not get as good quality of sleep as you should. You will not wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Skip that soda and you’ll be sleeping like a baby and waking up with enough true energy than you can possible handle.

It may be hard to believe that soda actually decreases your energy levels but it’s true. The first few weeks after you stop drinking soda might be tough and you might have less energy and feel tired all the time. That is just your body’s way of weaning itself off the caffeine and sugar. Once your body gets used to functioning with that extra sugar and caffeine, you’ll feel better, sleep better and have more energy.

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Treating Your Food Allergies

Finding out you have a food allergy can be frightening. If you are careful about your food intake and educate yourself about treatment options, you should not have any serious problems. The most important thing to not do is not eat the food to which you are allergic. How difficult this will be to do depends on exactly what food product you are allergic to.

You’ll have to be proactive and make sure you know what is in the food you are eating at all times. Read all the labels on store bought food and talk to the waiters at restaurants to make sure you don’t unknowingly eat something you are allergic to.

If you have a very serious allergy, you may have to make sure you aren’t even in the same room as the food product you are allergic to. Make sure you don’t share silverware or plates that have been near a food you are allergic to and know all you can about where you food comes from.

The food you are allergic to might go by other names so make sure you know exactly what to look for on labels. You need to educate yourself as much as possible about your allergies. If you are having a hard time cooking due to food allergy restrictions, look for cookbooks that offer recipes specifically for those with food allergies.

You can be as careful as possible but still end up with a reaction if you accidentally eat the food you are allergic to. You need to educate yourself on what to do if a reaction occurs. You’ll need to know what method of treatment will work best for your specific allergy and allergic reaction. The treatment will depend on how serious the reaction is and could be as easy as taking an antihistamine to counteract the reaction.

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that happens suddenly and will cause many symptoms to occur at the same time. This can be a life threatening reaction so you should be prepared with an epi-pen. The epi-pen is a small single shot dispenser that released epinephrine into your system. Once you give yourself the shot, you need to get to a hospital right away because all the epi-pen does is give you more time to treat the reaction. Don’t think that an epi-pen alone is going save you if you have anaphylaxis.

Often, allergy shots are given to people who have non-food allergies. What the allergy shots do is slowly acclimate your body to the allergen by giving you increasing amounts of the allergen. Eventually, your body will have less and less of a reaction to the allergen. Allergy shots work great for many allergies but have not yet been used successfully with food allergies.

Currently, the best thing someone with allergies can do is avoid the foods that he is allergic to and be prepared for a reaction to occur. New treatments are always being studied and tested. Make sure that if you get involved in any of these tests, you are as informed as possible of the pros and cons of the treatment.

For many people, food allergies are something that gets better as they get older. Sometimes, children will outgrow food allergies as they near puberty. However, not all food allergies will be outgrown and even if they get better with age they may come back when you are older. Food allergies are treatable and don’t have to ruin your life.

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