With flu season upon us, we’re all searching for methods to stay healthy. This year, numerous of us are especially concerned since of the H1N1 swine flu. It’s difficult to understand which info is just media hype, as well as which info is based on truth as well as can be trusted. I offer the complying with suggestions to assist you navigate the flu season with your health, as well as your sanity, intact.
Vaccinate or Not?
First of all, don’t panic, no matter what the media tells you. Humanity has dealt with the flu for countless years. Flu viruses modification from season to season, as well as while a flu vaccine may be required as well as even efficient for some people, keep in mind that this season’s flu vaccine is based on last year’s virus as well as may not offer total protection. Additionally, the new H1N1 vaccine was given market much quicker than vaccines of the past, as well as there is, as of yet, no info on prospective long term side effects. The decision on whether to get vaccinated ought to be an private decision as well as take your health and wellness history in addition to your danger of exposure into consideration. While your doctor ought to always be your supreme source for health and wellness information, keep in mind that not all physicians take a holistic view when it concerns preventive health and wellness care. Do your homework, as well as get educated.
Common Sense
Common sense precautions against the flu have not altered over the years. regular hand washing is still the very best precautionary determine against the flu in addition to colds. however don’t squander your money on antimicrobial as well as antibacterial soaps – they don’t work against viruses as well as offer no added value over soap as well as water. In fact, they may contribute to the spread of resistant bacteria. Don’t touch your deal with unless you’ve just washed your hands – that’s a direct path for viruses to get into your respiratory tract. So far, the typical wisdom is that the H1N1 virus is airborne, so listen to what you mom taught you: cover your mouth when coughing as well as sneezing, as well as throw the utilized tissues away – don’t leave them for somebody else to offer with.
Boost your Immune System
Take a great multi-vitamin. Do your research study as well as make sure the brand you take has great bio-availability. many grocery store brands do not satisfy this requirement.
Take additional vitamin C. I routinely take 1000mg a day, as well as I double or triple this when I’ve been subjected to somebody who is sick.
Sip warm fluids. Sipping hot tea can make your mouth unfriendly to microbes as well as reduces your danger of getting ill even after you’ve been exposed. Gargling with warm salt water can have the exact same effect.
Use a Neti Pot (nasal saline rinse) routinely to flush your sinuses before microbes have a possibility to get a hold in your system.
Avoid inflammation promoters such as sugar, alcohol as well as tobacco.
Optimize your vitamin D levels. Generally, the much more ideal your vitamin D levels, the less your possibilities of getting the flu or a cold. Ideally, you ought to have your vitamin D levels tested, however if you online in the northern hemisphere as well as don’t want to go after testing, professionals feel that it’s risk-free to take at least 1000-2000 IU’s of vitamin D during the winter season months.
Support your intestinal flora with probiotics. It may seem strange that your intestinal tract’s health and wellness has anything to finish with flu as well as chilly prevention, however many inflammation begins in the gut, which in turn, impacts your immune system.
Get sufficient sleep. This is one of the very best methods to keep your immune system rested as well as healthy.
Exercise regularly. much better yet, exercise outside.
Listen to your body. all of us get early cautioning indications when we’re about to catch a chilly or come down with the flu. For some, it may be a tickle in the throat, for others, a moderate tummy ache, nausea, or easy that “just ain’t right” feeling. Gargle with warm salt water, utilize your Neti pot, boost your vitamin C as well as D supplementation, as well as get some rest. in some cases something as easy as slowing down can increase our immune system sufficient to ward off a chilly or the flu in the early stages.
Maintain a positive attitude. If you continuously concern about getting sick, possibilities are, you will get sick. photo yourself healthy with a strong immune system, as well as don’t stay glued to the news reports of flu outbreaks as well as pandemics.
H1N1 as well as Your Pets
Most pet owners are concerned about whether their animals can contract the H1N1 swine flu. because this is an evolving story, it’s not possible at this stage to have a indeed or no response to this question. So far, there have been reports of ferrets anull