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IT IS FLU SEASON PROTECT YOURSELF

Cold and flu season is here and people are getting ready to fight colds and flu head on with a number of weapons in their “medicine chest”.

If you think serious complications from the flu are only for the elderly, children and pregnant women to worry about – think again

Everyone is at risk of catching the flu virus – even healthy, young adults. While symptoms may vary from person to person, they may include the following

 

 

 Seasonal flu

Common cold 

What is it?

 

Influenza, or the flu, is a common and highly contagious, infectious respiratory disease that affects the nose, throat and lungs.
Influenza viruses can change rapidly.  That’s why there is a new flu shot made every year to protect against the circulating virus strains.

A cold is a mild infection of the nose and throat caused by a variety of viruses.
Although a cold might linger, the symptoms remain mild.

 

Symptoms 

 

 Almost Always

         Common

Sometimes 

Runny nose
Sneezing
Cough
Sore throat

Sudden onset of cough and fever

Fatigue
Muscle aches
Sore throat
Headache
Decreased appetite Runny nose 

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea 

 

While most people infected with an influenza virus recover in a few weeks, complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections can occur and make chronic health problems such as asthma much worse.

The flu season has hit Australia early this year, with experts warning a quarter or more of the population could face an increased risk of severe complications from the virus this winter.

Doctor Hampson, Chairman of the Influenza Specialist Group, urged all Australians to consider receiving the flu vaccine this year and not to see cost as a barrier.

“The flu vaccine is free for high-risk groups such as those aged over 65, pregnant women, and people over 6 months of age with medical conditions like severe asthma, diabetes or other chronic diseases which put them at risk of influenza-related complications. It’s widely available for around 20 dollars for others, which is cheaper than cough medicine, pain relievers and time off work,” said Dr Hampson.

What can you do to prevent the flu?

You can play an active role in staying healthy and preventing the spread of the seasonal flu if you:

  1. Get your flu shot: You can protect yourself and others by getting an annual flu shot.
  2. Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer.
  3. Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand: If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands.
  4. Keep your hands away from your face: In most cases, the flu virus enters the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.
  5. Keep common surface areas clean and disinfected: Doorknobs, light switches, telephones, keyboards and other surfaces can become contaminated with all kinds of bacteria and viruses which can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting these surfaces with normal household disinfectants can help prevent the spread of viruses.

Please consult your healthcare professional or contact Mail Order Pharmacy friendly staff for more information about flu vaccination or Cough, cold and flu products.

 
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VITAMIN D- WHAT’S ALL THE HYPE ABOUT?

So why is it a big deal if I’m low in Vitamin D? The big one is Osteoporosis- weak bones and greater chance of bone fractures. I already have the major risk factor for osteoporosis – I’m FEMALE. But asides from Osteoporosis, which in its self is a big deal, a Vitamin D deficiency is also linked with
several cancers especially colon/bowel cancer
Diabetes
Multiple Sclerosis
Heart Disease
Muscle pain- like cramping
Rickets in kids (soft bones)
Mental health issues
Decreases in immunity

The list goes on from here.

There are several other conditions/factors that can actually increase your body’s requirement for Vitamin D, a few of them include:
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Alcohol…
Multiple sclerosis
Intestinal disorders eg. Chron’s Disease
Low sun exposure- office workers, night shift workers etc
Steroid medication
Dark skin
Cancer
Insulin dependent diabetes.
obesity

So what can we do to increase our Vitamin D levels? Well the first one would be to try to increase sun exposure. Not too much though, melanoma is a major issue in Oz. The best time to get sun is before 11am and after 3pm. To get enough sun your hands, arms and face need to be exposed for about 20 minutes each day, without sunscreen… So it really needs to be outside the harsh time of day for the sun. Some foods contain Vitamin D, like tuna, milk, egg yolks, sprouted seeds, however food alone would not be enough to maintain adequate levels of Vitamin D. There are also STACKS of vitamin D supplements out there. I have 3 favourite of all the ones I have come across:

The Thompson’s Vitamin D Capsules http://www.mailorderpharmacy.com.au/thompson-s-vitamin-d3.html Why do I like these ones so much? They are tiny. Vitamin D capsules are usually not very big but these ones are really small. So these ones are great if you don’t really like taking tablets, or if you are taking a whole heap of medications/supplements and you just can’t take another big one.

Eagle Vitamin D Capsules http://www.mailorderpharmacy.com.au/eagle-vitamin-d3-1000iu-240-capsules.html I like these ones for the same reason as above. I also really like Eagle products. They are an Australian Brand that put a lot of energy into researching their products rather than on advertising.

The Bioceuticals D3 Drops Forte http://www.mailorderpharmacy.com.au/bioceuticals-d3-drops-forte-20ml.html are another great vitamin D product. What’s so great about this one? Well firstly I also like the Bioceuticals brand but secondly, it’s a drop, not a tablet. You can drop it into a glass of water or on to the back of your hand or where ever you like. Each drop has 1000IU (international units) of the stuff you need- which is the recommended dose of vitamin D, unless you are diagnosed as being low in D, in which case your Doctor might recommend taking 2000 IU’s.

 

I’ve been taking a supplement with 1000IU’s Vitamin D for about 6 months now, for about the first month I took 2 capsules per day, my levels are back to normal. If you are going to exceed 1000IU per day double check with your Doctor or Pharmacist.

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REDUCING YOUR RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body uses glucose, or sugar, for energy. If you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk and prevent or delay the onset of the condition. Here are some tips to help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes:

  1. Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Losing weight, even just a few pounds, can help reduce your risk.
  2. Eat a healthy diet: Focus on eating a diet that is high in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Limit your intake of processed foods, sugary beverages, and saturated and trans fats.
  3. Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, which can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
  4. Quit smoking: Smoking increases your risk of many health problems, including type 2 diabetes. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do to improve your health.
  5. Get enough sleep: Sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality have been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
  6. Manage stress: Chronic stress can contribute to insulin resistance and increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga.
  7. Get regular check-ups: Regular check-ups with your doctor can help identify and manage risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Remember, these lifestyle changes can not only help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes but also improve your overall health and wellbeing.

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