Showing posts with label fight-flu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fight-flu. Show all posts

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Fight Flu Boost Your Immunity

 

flu

Fight Flu Preventive Strategies

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness called influenza caused by a virus. It can vary from mild to severe illness and even sometimes end in hospitalization or even death. The flu spreads mainly through airborne droplets made from people who have the flu then cough, sneeze or talk.  Flu symptoms appear suddenly and can include fever, chills, sore throat, runny stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, fatigue, and headache,  Most people who get the flu will recover in just a few days or less then two weeks while some people will develop complications such as pneumonia as a result of the flu which can be life threatening.  Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs which inflames the air sacks in one or both lungs, causing symptoms of cough with mucus, congestion, fever, chills, chest pain, nausea, difficulty breathing, fatigue and muscle weakness.  Causes of pneumonia are due to viral or bacterial fungal infections. 


Common causes include Streptococcus pneumoniae while viruses like influenza and Covid-19 may lead to pneumonia.  If left untreated pneumonia can lead to serious health complications including bacterial infections (infections of the blood stream) acute respiratory distress, and lung abscesses.  It is important to seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of pneumonia especially if you are in the high risk group.  It is important to practice good hygiene like washing your hands regularly, and avoid contact with sick people.  Influenza is an acute viral infection of the upper and lower respiratory tract that is marked by fever, chills, and generalized feelings of weakness including pain in the muscles together in varying degrees of soreness in the head and abdomen.  According to the CDC since October 1, 2024 estimates there have been between 20-35 million flu illnesses, 8.9 million to 16 million medical visits, 250,000 to 540,000 flu hospitalizations, 11,000 to 53,000 flu deaths through January 25, 2025. 


The cumulative burden of the flu is an estimate of the number of people who have been sick, seen a health care provider for, been hospitalized with or died as a result of the flu within a certain timeframe.  Antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine have beneficial effects on cases of influenza involving type A virus.  However resistance to these agents have been observed thereby reducing the effectiveness.  A newer category of medications, neuraminidase inhibitors which include oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) was introduced in the late 1990’s.  These medications inhibit both the influenza A and B viruses.  Standard treatment for the flu still remains pertinent, getting plenty of bed rest, ingesting fluids to stay hydrated, and the use of analgesics to control fever.  There are several natural methods that may help reduce symptoms of the flu to help support your recovery.  Stay hydrated drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day like water, herbal teas, fortified sports drinks, clear soups and broths to help loosen congestion. 


Certain teas such as ginger, peppermint, elderberry and peppermint have properties that may help ease the discomfort of flu symptoms.  The warm liquid of tea can relieve soreness of the throat and ginger tea can reduce inflammation. “A number of studies have shown that certain teas such as green tea can boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, promote cardiovascular health, and even prevent the development of certain cancers.  These health benefits are associated with specific antioxidants found in tea known as polyphenols.” Harvard Health Naturally protect your family fight flu elevate symptoms. Each year people in the United States possibly face a significant health burden due to the flu virus and may consider self treatment or medical care solutions for treating flu symptoms. Elderberry is a common natural remedy for the flu. Studies suggest Elderberry supplementation reduces cold duration due to antibacterial and antiviral effects reducing the duration of influenza.  Black Elderberry Syrup by gaia Herbs is Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) promotes immune support. 


A delicious daily tonic to support your immune health.  Elderberry syrup is often used to boost antioxidants to help maintain the body's natural defenses against cold and flu.

Cheers! 

Patricia Lynn

Images Courtesy of Prosstock-studio at AdobeStock    


Saturday, January 22, 2022

Fight Flu Preventive Actions

 

fight-flu

Boost Immunity Fight Flu

Fight flu taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of the flu variously to ensure public safety guidelines are met in 2022. According to the CDC, 173.7 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed in the United States as of January7, 2022. The flu vaccine is produced by private manufacturers for the 2021-2022 flu season as manufacturers have projected they will provide as many 188-200 million influenza vaccines for the U.S. market. Each year millions of people get sick leading to hundreds of thousands of people ending up hospitalized due to flu related conditions while thousands to ten to thousands of people die from the flu.  The CDC urges people to take action against the contagious disease to protect yourself and your family from the flu virus in 2022. Prevent the onset of flu avoiding close contact with sick people who may carry the virus who may transmit the flu to healthy individuals. A yearly flu vaccine may be the first important step in protecting against the flu virus. 


Covid-19 concerns continue into 2022 spreading when an infected person breathes out droplets of very small particles that contain the virus.  These droplet particles can be breathed in by other people or land on eyes, nose or mouth and in some circumstances may contaminate surfaces they touch.  People who are closer than 6 feet of distance from an infected person are more likely to become infected with the virus.  Covid-19 is spread in three main ways including breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplet particles that contain the virus. The infectious virus containing small droplets can be spread quickly when a person coughs or sneezes into the air distributing small particles of the virus into the surrounding areas. Covid-19 can spread easily by touching eyes, nose, and mouth with hands that have the virus on them. The flu and Covid-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. 


Covid-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus called ( Sars-CoV-2) and seasonal flu most often just called flu is caused by infection with one of many influenza viruses that spread annually among people. Some symptoms of the flu and covid-19 are similar. People need to be tested to determine what virus is causing their illness.  People can be infected with the flu virus and the Covid-19 virus at the same time. Yes, there is a test that will test for seasonal flu type A and B viruses and the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes Covi-19.  Testing for these viruses at the same time will give public health officials important health information about the flu and Covid-19 virus is spreading to determine what prevention steps needed to be taken to ensure public safety. If you have flu symptoms and are at higher risk for flu complications you should call your health care professional as soon as possible to inform them about your symptoms.


Healthcare professionals have different practices for diagnosing and treating flu during the Covid-19 pandemic 2022 including wearing masks in a health care setting or offering telemedicine to speak with your doctor to determine your medical needs. Telemedicine is the use of electronic communication including telecommunication to get the health care you need while still practicing social distancing guidelines. All you need is a smartphone, computer or iPad connected to the internet to continue medical care while protecting yourself and your doctor from Covid-19. The benefits of telemedicine allow users to communicate with their doctor live over the phone or video chat services to reduce the risks of developing Covid-19 infectious illness. Send or receive messages from your doctor using chat messaging or email services as a convenient communication people can utilize online without leaving their home saving time and travel. Fight flu contact your healthcare provider about the management of general health concerns or management of existing health conditions during Covid-19 outbreak.


Call your health care provider to check if they are offering telemedicine visits and what technology you need to have a telemedicine visit. Fight flu symptoms with preventive care measures to ward off infection reducing the chances of getting the common cold or flu. Take everyday precautions to reduce the spread of flu avoiding close contact with people who are sick. Adhere to social distancing guidelines during the pandemic check local governments or local health departments may have issued additional recommended precautions in your community. The immune system is a host defense system involved in the body's biological processes with organisms that naturally protect the body from disease. Flu symptoms include sore throat, headache, body chills, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue fever. Lack of sleep can affect the immune system, increase the risks of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and be susceptible to catching the flu when the immunity defenses are comprimized.


Sleeping 6-8 hours per night benefits the entire body fighting off infection and strengthening your immune system to fight infection. Get a full night's sleep to optimize immune function defense efficiency building immunity to fight flu. The immune system is the collection of cells' vital components containing antibodies, the body's primary defense against infections. Sleep deprivation can affect natural wake-sleep cycles and may have detrimental effects on health.  Functioning optimally an immune system may detect a wide variety of pathogens that can produce disease in the body. Sleep is a naturally occurring state categorized by an altered state of consciousness of the body and mind in a state of relaxation with inhibited sensory activity. Fighting with sleep naturally rejuvenates the body with 6-8 hours of deep sleep allowing the body to repair and strengthen the immune system. According to the Sleep Foundation, insufficient sleep patterns may lead to disorders and increase the risk of heart disease. Infections and obesity. 


Lifestyle habits contribute to good sleep hygiene valuable for benefiting from sleeping through the night improving overall health. Fight insomnia sleep through the night waking feeling rejuvenated ready to start your day sleeping 6-8 hours per night. Research indicates people who are fatigued are more likely to develop depression influencing mood and interaction with others when they are rested.  People who sleep well sleeping 6-8 hours per night operate at a whole new level of awareness compared to people who sleep for minimal amounts of time 2-4 hours per night. Deep sleep helps your body repair healing, fight chronic disease hypertension, depression, and countless other ailments.  Sleeping serves the body's internal organs, and physiological processes work throughout the night balancing energy, hormones, supporting mood, alertness enhancing intellectual functions, and helping you fight flu boosting immunity. If you are feeling forgetful and fatigued all the time you may be suffering from a lack of sleep.  Lack of sleep can impair productivity at work and decrease reasoning in problem-solving skills in attention to detail.


Eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants is believed to increase immune function to fight flu symptoms. Consuming a balanced organic diet increases immune energy directed to rebuilding and maintaining strength against outside invasions of harmful bacteria. Get daily vitamin C from foods like orange juice, citrus fruits, fortified juices, broccoli, red and green peppers, green leafy vegetables.  Sugar impairs the immune system, compromising the body's ability to ward off diseases. Superfoods are rich sources of essential nutrients the body needs to function properly. Diets rich in whole grains in combination with dark green and brightly colored vegetables have been proven to lower cholesterol, reduce cancer risks and prevent obesity.  We are all becoming more aware of the importance of adding more fresh vegetables to our diets to ward off disease and live a healthy lifestyle. Carotenoids have demonstrated various positive biochemical effects on the immune system due to antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory activity in the body reduces swelling and pain for natural therapeutic purposes.


Carotenoids also referred to as triterpenoids are the red, orange and yellow organic pigments produced by the plant during the growth processes. Carotenoids and retinoids are thought to have several biological effects, antioxidant properties affecting cell growth and immune response may help fight flu consuming superfoods. Carotenoids are colorful liposoluble pigments found in plants found in many foods typically found in the human diet including lipopene, lutine, a- carotene, B-carotene, and cryptoxanthin.  People who are healthy, generally active or want to increase muscle mass should increase protein intake to boost the immune system to fight flu symptoms. Proteins are categorized based on the function they provide the body.  Basic proteins are used to manufacture thousands of structural functions building blood protein levels.  Blood proteins termed plasma proteins are proteins present in blood that serve many different functions in the body transporting lipids, hormones, vitamins, minerals in actively functioning the immune system, a network of biological processes that protects an organism from disease helps fight flu protect response to a wide variety of viruses.


Maintaining sufficient protein intake when you are sick is important for boosting immunity to help fight flu combined with eating a balanced clean diet packed full of nutritious foods to strengthen the body's immune response. Lean proteins include lean beef, chicken, fish, eggs, quinoa, dairy, nuts, legumes.


Fight flu with regular exercise to boost the immune system naturally fighting off infection reducing the chances of getting the common cold or flu.  The immune system is a host defense system involved in the body's biological processes with organisms that naturally protect the body from disease. Functioning optimally an immune system may detect a wide variety of pathogens that can produce disease in the body.  The immune system is the collection of cells' vital components containing antibodies, the body's primary defense against infections. Strengthening the immune system by eating a balanced organic diet increases immune energy directed to rebuilding and maintaining strength against outside invasions of harmful bacteria combined with regular exercise to boost immunity naturally. Regular physical activity may help flush out harmful bacteria out of the lung's airways reducing the chances of getting illnesses.  Exercise has a profound effect on the body causing changes in antibodies and white blood cells to circulate more rapidly detecting an early onset of illness earlier than they might have before helping you fight infection. 


The benefits of regular aerobic exercise induce short and long-term effects on mood-enhancing positive feelings of optimism and belief in hope Exercise reduces the body's levels of stress hormones including cortisol and adrenaline helping you feel relaxed.  Over time if cortisol levels are elevated it may cause high blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes, and may disrupt natural sleep patterns. Mental benefits of aerobic exercise have neurochemical positive effects reducing stress hormones stimulating the production of endorphins, inhibiting pain,  producing feelings of happiness and relaxation even when your workout is finished known as the runner's high as a  flood of endorphins released by physical exercise.  The immune system and the emotional system reflect a positive mental attitude and boost immune system response, adopting healthy lifestyle choices following a sensible diet plan combined with regular exercise may help develop stable emotional intelligence to boost immunity may help fight flu.


Adrenaline is a hormone normally produced by adrenal glands and a small number of neurons in the brain where it acts as a neurotransmitter regulating visceral functions regulating heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration in breathing.  Adrenaline plays an important role in flight or fight response as a reaction to stress increases blood flow to muscles, increasing heart rate and increasing blood sugar levels indicators that stress hormones in your body may affect glucose levels. Fighting flu boosting immunity with daily exercise reduces stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline walking once per day breathing in fresh air stimulating the production of endorphins chemicals in the brain that naturally elevate mood and reduce pain while increasing oxygen uptake in the body.


Natural flu remedies may help reduce the duration of flu-like symptoms when taken on the onset of flu. Oscillococcinum reduces the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms like body aches, headaches, fever, chills, and fatigue. This non-drowsy medication is convenient and reliable for adults, children 2 and older used to relieve flu symptoms. Oscillococcinum works best when taken on the onset of flu-like symptoms. Fight Flu naturally with Homeopathic Medicine and diet may be effective in reducing the duration of the flu.  Oscillococcinum is a common homeopathic medicine used to treat flu symptoms including, body aches, headache, fever, chills, and fatigue. Oscillococcinum is a non-drowsy formula with no known drug interactions helping your body heal naturally reducing the duration and severity of symptoms. Homeopathic Medicine is used by 500 million people worldwide are compelling facts that can not be ignored.  Studies indicate 95% of French dermatologists, pediatricians, and general practitioners use homeopathy for their patients. Studies suggest taking Oscillococcinum on the onset of flu to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms to help fight flu.


Homeopathic medicine can be found online, Walgreens and CVS may effectively treat or reduce the duration of flu symptoms naturally. Talk to your doctor and get professional advice if you are at risk of developing complications from the flu. Flu viruses are spread by droplets from infected people when they sneeze, cough blow their nose or wipe away secretions from their nose or eyes. During the flu season, everyone should be encouraged to wear a mask when recommended, avoid rubbing their eyes, keep their hands out of their mouths. Washing your hands several times per day especially before meals reduces the transmission of flu viruses. Self quarantine if you are experiencing flu like symptoms include sore throat, headache, body chills, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue to avoid spreading the flu. Boost immunity with daily exercise reduces stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline walking once per day 30-60 minutes breathing in fresh air to refresh the body. Elevated mood reduces pain while increasing oxygen uptake in the body can help fight flu.

Cheers!

Patricia Lynn

Images Courtesy of Claudio_Scott at Pixbay