cold – Rocky Point Pavilion Pharmacy

December 10 2017

Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

A cold or the flu can strike anytime, but they do have a more active season.
For colds, that season usually coincides with the school calendar, starting in late August or early September, then increasing in the first few weeks and remaining high until March or April, when it goes down.
Influenza activity often begins to increase in October and November. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and March and can last as late as May.
The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is simple: wash your hands. A common way to catch a cold is by rubbing your nose and eyes after you’ve come in contact with a contaminated surface. Think door knobs, light switches, shopping carts, or contact with another person. So, washing your hands frequently with warm water and soap is the best way to stop a cold or flu before it starts.
Other good health practices are not sharing cups or silverware, and cleaning commonly used surfaces like doorknobs, and faucets.Don’t forget to clean your cell phone, too.
Along with good hygiene, certain foods are known to boost your immune system. Try including some of these foods and vitamins with your meals and snacks.
Garlic may give your immune system a boost by increasing resistance to infection and stress. Its antioxidant properties goes after free radicals in the body.
Yogurt and other cultured milk products contain probiotics which contain beneficial bacteria that have shown potential immune-boosting benefits. Look for the “live active culture” seal, which indicates that probiotics have been added.
Also, check milk product labels for vitamin D. Early research suggests low levels of vitamin D may be linked to a seasonal increase in colds and flu and a higher incidence of respiratory infections.
I’m sure you have heard that taking vitamin C helps you feel better when you have a cold. It’s true—research suggests that taking high doses of vitamin C may help shorten the time you are sick by a day or more. Vitamin C acts as an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory to help dry up a runny nose. It also helps your immune system find and destroy viruses. When you are sick, or under a lot of stress, it only increases your body’s need for vitamin C. When looking for a vitamin C supplement, get one that contains bioflavinoids’ antioxidants found in citrus fruits, tea, and other foods.
Zinc is one of the most critical minerals for overall immune function and has been shown to reduce the time you have a cold. Zinc is found in meat, chicken, peanuts and peanut butter. It’s also found in lozenges as a cold fighter. While taking it won’t help you prevent a cold, taking zinc lozenges every two hours within the first two days of a cold can decrease its duration.
Fresh ginger root can help you when you are sick by decreasing nausea and vomiting. The anti-inflammatory gingerols and shaogals in ginger root will help to relieve a sore throat quickly, and they also kill rhinoviruses, which cause colds in the first place. Drink three or more cups daily until you are well. You can also drink the same ginger tea to warm up on a very cold winter day. Make ginger tea by grating one ounce of fresh ginger in a pint of water. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add lemon and honey to taste.
Chicken soup, long known as a cold remedy, is likely effective because it contains any number of the above foods and their accompanying vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The aroma and cozy warmth can’t hurt, either.
Healthy bodies have an easier time fighting off infection. Not only are washing hands, avoiding germs, and eating the right foods important, but a few more things can help, too.
Moderate physical activity also has positive effects on the immune system. Over time, this means catching fewer colds and other upper respiratory tract infections.
Getting plenty of rest, decreasing stress and cutting back on unhealthy habits like smoking and over consuming of alcohol will also boost your immune system.
If you do come down with a cold or flu, stay home so you don’t get others sick. Use tissues when you sneeze or blow your nose, and wash your hands often. To feel better, drink lots of fluid, eat immune-boosting foods, and get plenty of rest. If symptoms worsen, or last longer than a few days, contact your doctor.

September 25 2016

Is it a cold, the flu, or allergies?

Rocky Point Blog allergy, cold, flu, flu shot

This time of year, we may get the sniffles, start sneezing, and a get sore throat. But, Is it a cold, flu, or allergies? It can be hard to tell them apart because they share so many symptoms. But understanding the differences will help you choose the best treatment.
If you don’t know which it is, you may take medications that aren’t effective or that make your symptoms even worse. So, how can you tell which is which? They all make it hard to breathe, but there are other symptoms that set them apart from each other.
Anyone who has had the flu knows that symptoms are much more severe than having a cold. Both can lead to a runny, stuffy nose, congestion, cough and sore throat. But if you have the flu, you can also get a high fever that lasts for 3-4 days, plus body aches and severe fatigue, and shortness of breath. Dizziness, vomiting, and even confusion are also signs of having the flu
With allergies, your body is reacting to a trigger, or allergen, which is something you’re allergic to, and not a virus. The most common seasonal allergy this time of year is ragweed. Though it usually starts to release pollen with cool nights and warm days in August, it can last into September and October. About 75% of people allergic to spring plants also have reactions to ragweed.
Allergies can also cause itchy, watery eyes, which you don’t normally have with a cold or flu. Allergy symptoms usually last as long as you’re exposed to the allergen, which may be about six weeks during pollen seasons in the spring, summer, or fall. Colds and flu rarely last beyond two weeks.
Most people with a cold or flu can recover on their own without medical care. But if you are at a higher risk for complications from the flu (including young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions), it’s best for you to contact your doctor.
Check with your doctor if symptoms last more than 10 days or if you aren’t getting any relief from over-the-counter medicines.
Drink plenty of fluids and get a lot of rest, whether it’s a cold or the flu. If you have a fever, pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain and reduce fever.
Allergies can be treated with antihistamines or decongestants.
No matter what symptoms you are treating, be careful to avoid “drug overlap” when taking medicines that list 2 or more active ingredients on the label. For example, if you take two different drugs that contain acetaminophen—one for a stuffy nose and the other for headache—you may be getting too much acetaminophen.
Read medicine labels for the warnings, side effects, dosages. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or one of our pharmacists. You don’t want to over medicate, and you don’t want to risk taking a medication that may interact with another.
Don’t forget, we offer flu shots at both of our pharmacies. No appointment is needed! Just stop by during our regular store hours and we’ll take care of you so you don’t get sick in the first place.

Source: National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control