Helathy Tips from Lexi

It's cold and flu season and I know many of us are fighting cold after cold after cold. Especially with little ones in the house it can really help to give our immune systems all the help they can get. There are a lot of products and old remedies out there that claim they can help prevent and cure the common cold so I thought I'd add a post with a few I know work and a few I know don't. (As I am sick and frustrated right now and know some of you are as well!)

1. Many of you might remember your grandparents talk about taking in the vapors when they were sick to help with symptoms and purify the body. This old remedy is a keeper! Although it takes some updating, taking in the vapors was all about warm moist air to sooth the dried out skin and sinuses of the common cold. Today with modern day plumbing taking in the vapors is as easy as taking a nice hot bath or shower. The steam helps provide warm moist air to the sinus, throat and dry skin. It also helps break up mucus allowing us to cough it up or blow it out. If you have little ones instead of using the hot bath which can burn them, turn on the shower to high and let the bathroom get steamy, then go in with them and encourage them to breath deeply, cough and blow their noses or use the bulb syringe for infants. This will improve their breathing and help them, and you, get rest.

2. Today the shelves of our grocery stores and health food shops are filed with get well quick remedies including tonics and powders to swallow or drink. None of these will cure the common cold! Sorry guys, the common cold is a virus and unfortunately we have yet to find anything within the medical field to cure the common cold. Instead we have products that help us combat symptoms of the common cold including FDA approved Tylenol, Benadryl, Sudafed, NyQuil, DayQuil, etc.

3. If you are successfully managing your cold and flu symptoms with some of the products above but would like to help give your immune system a boost products such as Emergen-C and it's knock off counter-parts such as the Up & Up version I have photographed above are a great option. If you are well you can take this cold or hot to keep your immune system in shape. If you are ill try it warm as a soothing drink to help calm sore throats while giving you that extra boost.

4. The miracles of Zinc have been proclaimed for years and....this one is a keeper too! Recent research has shown that zinc can help maintain your immune system, prevent viruses from binding (which causes the common cold) and help the body get over a cold faster if taken every day during this time of year or whenever you know you will be in close proximity of large groups. The plus sides are it doesn't have any adverse side effects and can be found in many inexpensive products if you aren't a fan of taking pills. Examples of products zinc can be found in are emergen-c, halls vitamin lozenges, adult and youth multi-vitamins, and many store brand smoothies and juices!

5. The old tale that the best place for a sick individual is in bed isn't actually true. Although we do need extra rest when we are sick we also need to keep things moving when we are awake. Getting up and moving keeps your fluids moving too which helps the body process and get rid of the cold faster. This doesn't mean to push it too hard or stay at work when you know you shouldn't! It simply means that getting up to go for a walk, making a healthy meal and showering when sick are essential to the return of good health! So go ahead get out of bed and dance in front of the T.V. during the commercial breaks and keep that body movin'.

6. Grandma's advice to have chicken soup and oatmeal when sick are ...KEEPERS! Chicken soup has all the nutrients you need to keep the body fighting the cold at night while oatmeal is calming and filling to give your body energy to fight without an upset stomach during the day. For an extra kick pick up the oatmeal that has extra protein and calcium in it.

7. Drink your weight in water? Sorry this one is debunked. Although we do need to increase our fluid intake when we are sick we don't want to drink ourselves into a stupor. Go with the standard 8-10 glasses of water a day and then add soups, orange juice, milk, vegetables and fruit to increase your fluid intake further.

8. The old wives tale of slathering on the Vix-vapor rub and then walking out into the cold to open everything up is debunked! Don't do this no matter what you do! Vix vapor rub can be a great product, but the minute it is on you need to stay warm. Introducing cold to open pores really stresses the body and can actually make you sicker. Also, some of your grandparents may have eaten or added Vix to their teas, don't do this either as it can be very toxic and is considered a poison if ingested! If you want that open feeling in your chest via tea try drinking teas with mint or using mentholated throat drops from halls etc.

9. Taking copious amounts of Vitamin B and C is not always the safest way to go! Taking these vitamins individually is highly recommended right now by dietary and supplement consults BUT if you feel like you need extra vitamins especially the cold fighting duo of vit b and c don't start taking them individually without consulting your physician or pharmacist first! The best bet is usually to go with a low dose chewable vit c and a once a day multi-vit such as Centrum. If you are going to buy vitamins and have reviewed your current med list and health concerns with a doc of pharmacist I recommend Centrum, Nature Made or Kirkland as these are the only ones shown to be regulated at this time.

10. Tea and soup, tea and soup! Yep this one is a goody! If you tire of chicken soup or can't stand tea, don't worry! Any soup that sits well and tastes good to you is a good idea and as far as tea goes, warm soothing drinks are great BUT only if you'll actually drink them!

11. The theory that all adult meds can be cut to accommodate infants and children is not true! Although there are some over the counter medications that can be cut to accommodate children it is always best to go with a pediatric specific drug for example children's Tylenol or childrens benadryl. Follow the dosing on the back for safety and if you aren't sure or if you are dealing with an infant always consult a physician, nurse practitioner or pharmacist first! And NEVER give any form of asprin to a child without a direct order from a doctor!

Hope this helps some of you and if you have any other questions you've been wondering about just post in the comments section. If I don't know the answer I'll ask my pharmacist boyfriend or fellow nurses and physicians on my clinical days and reply back asap.