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Dr Zulfikar Bux shares ‘remedies for the flu’
The “flu”, or influenza as it better known, is certainly not an eagerly anticipated episode in one’s life. It is a
Dr Zulfikar Bux
few days of debilitating illness which can leave you bed-ridden or in rare cases be fatal. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.
It has a variety of symptoms which include:
· Fever or feeling feverish/chills
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Runny or stuffy nose
· Muscle or body aches
· Headaches
· Fatigue (very tired)
· Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
There are simple remedies that can be done at home which may prevent a Doctor’s visit or even shorten the course of the flu.
KEEP HYDRATED
The flu can make you dehydrated from the fever or vomiting and diarrhea. Regularly using water, sports drinks such as Gatorade and fruit juices rich in Vitamin C, can help to improve your hydration and ultimately your condition faster. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine is important since they will dehydrate you and can worsen your condition.
REST
Your body is “taking a beating” from the influenza virus. It is using a lot of energy to fight off the virus. By resting, your body can dedicate its resources primarily to fighting the flu.
USE SOME SOUP
We have all grown up to our parents and grandparents offering us some soup during an illness. Turns out there is some evidence to support “using the soup”. A study published in the journal Chest showed that chicken soup may help with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections like the flu. Maybe it’s the evidence or just the good feeling of knowing that someone cares for you by making soup that helps.
BREATHE MOIST AIR
Breathing moist air helps to sooth a sore throat and ease nasal congestion. Indulging in steam showers several times a day or inhaling some steam from boiling water or a humidifier may help.
Suck Mints
Regularly sucking cough drop or regular mints helps soothe the throat and ease coughing.
GARGLE
Regular gargling with salt water can help to break up thick mucus collecting at the back of your throat, as well as ease congestion and coughing.
IRRIGATE YOUR NOSTRILS
By regularly irrigating your nose with salt-water or saline, you can ease nasal and sinus congestion and even prevent sinus infection. The best way to do it is to pour the saline/salt-water through one nostril and let it run out the other.
USE FEVER REDUCERS/ COUGH SUPPRESSANTS
There are numerous fever reducers and cough suppressants or even combinations of same available. Your Pharmacist may be able to advise which is best for you.
WHEN TO VISIT YOUR DOCTOR
The following may be signs that you should visit your doctor:
– Persistent fever – especially for more than 3 days
– Persistent vomiting and diarrhea – especially if you cannot hydrate yourself fast enough.
– Unrelenting cough with chills
– You feel more sick than is usual for a bout with the flu
– You are not sure if it’s the flu you’re having
– You have tried all the remedies and your condition is not improving
It’s a difficult time when you’re down with the flu. Some of us have to tough it out by ourselves, while others have help. In life, when we are all grown up, we feel we don’t need the help of our parents and we can take care of things by ourselves. Then comes the flu and it’s amazing how fast our feelings change.
(Dr Zulfikar Bux is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Vanderbilt University and Medical Center and holds the position of Head of the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.)
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