Cold and Flu

Cold and Flu

We still have 12 more weeks of cold and flu season, which typically runs from November to April. The time when you start hearing coughing and sneezing throughout the office and home. There are many ways to prevent the spreading of cold and flu.

The Flu or Cold spreads through person to person and surface to surface, when someone touches anything that has been touched by someone infected with the virus.  People are mostly contagious the first 1-3 days of contracting a cold and 1-5 days of contacting a flu.

Here are some tips to preventing the cold and flu.

• Maintain good health by eating well and getting enough rest and exercise.
• Wash Your Hands or sanitize with an alcohol-gel hand sanitizer before touching, eating or preparing food.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes or rubbing your nose.
• Wash out your water bottle daily.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold or flu.
•  Drink plenty of water.

Best way to wash your hands:

• Wet your hands and apply liquid soap.
• Rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surface
• Continue for 10 -15 second.  (It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and
• remove germs.)
• Rinse well and dry your hands

     Cold and Flu treatment.

     If you do get sick, stay a home and don’t spread the love. Try to stay hydrated by drinking plenty pf water or juices and get plenty of rest. Don’t forget to ask your doctor about over the counter drugs which may alleviate some symptoms.

Myth about taking Antibiotics

Fact: Antibiotics will not cure a cold or flu since both are caused by viruses. Antibiotics only work against infections caused by bacteria. If your fever doesn’t go away or your coughing secretions are not clear, seek a medical opinion.

We still have 12 more weeks of cold and flu season, which typically runs from November to April. The time when you start hearing coughing and sneezing throughout the office and home. There are many ways to prevent the spreading of cold and flu.

Heart Month

February is Heart Month, a time to bring attention to the importance of cardiovascular health, and what we can to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and Canada. Every year 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

FACT –Heart disease is completely controllable and/or preventable!  It's up to you, with proper nutrition, exercise and managing your existing medical you can reduce your risks for Heart Disease. Here are some tips for preventing heart disease.

• Eating a healthy diet can help you avoid heart disease. Be sure to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Limit salt and /or sodium from your diet. It’s also a good idea to look at the labels of processed food, avoid eating foods that are high in saturated fat and trans fat. 
• Maintain a healthy weight to lowers your risk of developing diabetes, being at a good weight also helps lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Knowing your body mass index (BMI) is one of the best ways to establish whether or not you’re in a healthy weight range. Check your BMI. To 
• Exercise regularly is great for your heart health, it’s never too late to start. Adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Physical activity can be easy as starting a walking group at lunchtime or shifting your meeting outdoors and take a walking meeting.  
• Monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis, because high blood pressure often has no symptoms. Make an appointment with your doctor or go into the nest pharmacy to have your blood pressure checked. If you have senior citizen living in your home, make sure their blood pressure is checked on a regular base. If you’re taking medication to treat high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Always ask question if you don’t understand something.
• Control your diabetes by monitor your blood sugar levels closely, and talk with your doctor about treatment options. If your at borderline diabetic, you really need to control you diet and reduce your body weight. Diabetes is on the rise in North America! We really need to look at our lifestyle.  
• Don’t smoke it’s a known fact that it increase your risk for heart disease. If you are a smoker and are ready to quit or want to help someone else to quit, talk to your doctor or health practitioner about giving up smoking. The positive impact of quitting smoking starts the very first day. After one year of not smoking, you reduce 50% chance of heart disease.
• Depression is more than feeling sad or low. People who have depression are socially isolated or do not have good social support, which lead them to a higher risk of heart disease. Having a good social life with family and friends can help. If you feel depressed for more than two weeks, talk to your doctor, a family member or someone you know well. 

Stretch before you exercise your heart.

Here are some simple stretch you can do before starting your physical exercise. 

Please note if you have medical problems or if you have been inactive, check with your doctor before starting a physical activity program.

FYI- All Images were taken off of Google Image.