The Difference Between a Flu and a Cold

February 4th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

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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How to Avoid Gaining Weight in the Winter

January 7th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

It is hard to avoid the winter weight gain that many of us experience. We may try and watch our weight but still end up with more weight to lose in the spring. You don’t have to do this, however, if you follow a few simple guidelines.

The holidays make it especially hard to watch our weight because there is tempting food everywhere we go. If you don’t want to end up heavier by the end of the year, there are some suggestions.

When you cook, use healthier ingredients like evaporated milk and broth to replace cream and butter, which are extremely fattening.

If you know you are going to be tempted with fattening food when you go out, bring your own healthy snack to eat instead. Make yourself a healthy snack or small meal before going to a dinner party or a restaurant where you are going to be tempted to eat way more than you should. This way you won’t be as hungry and you can control what you eat.

Instead of trying to lose weight this winter, just try to not gain any more. It you try to lose weight instead of maintain your weight, you’ll end up frustrated, and more likely to overeat and gain wait. Don’t try one of everything at those parties and holiday events. Instead decide what you really want to eat and just have a little of that so you don’t end up overeating.

It isn’t only what you eat this winter and through the holidays, it is that you are less likely to be exercising. It is a lot harder to get into and stick with an exercise program in the winter so fewer people do. Even though it is cold and dreary, you can still get exercise and have fun. Look for a mall walking group near you or join a fitness club and you’ll get some exercise and meet new people at the same time.

Often, we eat more in the winter because of depression. Seasonal depression is a very common problem during the winter months. People who are depressed are more likely to make bad food choices and overeat. This will lead to more depression, tiredness and weight gain.

It is important to stay positive and in a good mood throughout the entire winter and not let yourself get depressed. Often, the cause for winter depression is a lack of exposure to sunlight. You can remedy this by always keeping any room you are in bright and cheery. Also, you can spend just 20 minutes a day sitting under a light bulb with high wattage to simulate sunlight. You will feel better and be happier.

Poor food choices and depression often become a cycle that is heard to break in the winter. Make sure you eat a balanced diet and avoid too many sweets. Also, exercise and stay active. You can beat the winter weight and avoid the depression that can increase winter weight gain.

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Identifying the Symptoms of Arthritis

January 6th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

We all have aches and pains especially in our joints as we get older. Many people think that this means they have arthritis, which may or may not be true. You need to get a proper diagnosis for your joint pain so that you can get a treatment that will work for you. You need to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Pain in the joints and even swelling in these areas is a common arthritis symptom. This pain can be a little annoying for some people, but it can be debilitating for others. One thing is certain: arthritis symptom can be persistent. The pain can occur while you are sitting down doing nothing or while you are active. The painful swelling and redness that can occur at the joints can be so bad that you just can hardly get around if you don’t take care of the problem.

Sometimes, people with arthritis will have bone deposits on their hands or other affected body parts. These look like lumps and form around the joints. They stick out and look odd.

Another arthritis symptom is loss of range of motion in certain joints. The joints become stiff and difficult to move or bend. This can make walking and using your hands and other body parts difficult and painful if it is not properly treated. As this symptom of arthritis progresses, it can significantly affect your ability to perform daily tasks or go about your daily activities.

Symptoms that you may not commonly associate with arthritis include tiredness, weakness, moodiness and weight loss. These are not joint problems but are caused by arthritis all the same.

Arthritis is not just one disease that is the same for everyone. With as many as 100 different kinds of arthritis, it is important to see your doctor and find out what kind you have and how it is best treated. You may have the same kind of arthritis as someone else but you may have an entirely different set of symptoms.

A doctor’s visit to check you for arthritis will probably consist of a health history, an examination and X-rays. All this is done to properly diagnose your arthritis and make sure there are no other problems that could be causing the symptoms.

While over-the-counter pain medicine may alleviate some of your symptoms, it isn’t a permanent solution to your problem. Your doctor can tell you what you should be taking and prescribe something for you if necessary. Your doctor may also recommend therapy depending on how advanced your arthritis is.

Arthritis is painful and difficult to deal with. It is one disease that science has not found any cure for. If you notice symptoms of arthritis, don’t ignore it. Go see your doctor and find out what you can do to treat your symptoms.

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Personal Development Books: The Power of Self-Coaching by Joseph J. Luciani

July 16th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Personal Development Book Reviews

514Z16RMS2L._SL160_ Personal Development Books: The Power of Self-Coaching by Joseph J. Luciani

The Five Essential Steps to Creating the Life You Want

Change the way you think about life by climbing out of your emotional rut! In this book, author and psychologist Joseph Luciani teaches you how to take back control of your life. With warmth and a sense of humor, he explains how to break the cycle of unhappiness and find inner harmony. The Power of Self-Coaching offers reassurance that happiness is the proper and natural state of humanity as well as instructions on how to achieve it.

The Power of Self-Coaching: The Five Essential Steps to Creating the Life You Want

The simple and effective 5-step program teaches readers to:

  • Recognize the recurrence of thoughts and feelings that cause unhappiness, boredom, and depression
  • Restructure the way you think and feel to produce a happier, more balanced you
  • Leave emotional apathy, tiredness, and hopelessness in your past
  • Create the life you want-and deserve-by learning to access your inner potential

About the Author

Joseph J. Luciani has been a practicing psychologist for almost three decades. He has changed millions of lives through his books and lectures.

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