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(RxWiki News) Cold and flu season has arrived, but that doesn't have to mean you or your family will get sick. Outsmart germs with these simple strategies.When it comes to colds, prevention is key. But once you have a cold, the best remedy is plenty of rest and lots of fluids. Read on for more information on colds and prevention strategies.How to Prevent a ColdHand-washing is one of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of the common cold. Avoid touching commonly touched surfaces, including shared writing instruments, public doorknobs and light switches, unless necessary. You can lower your risk of getting a cold by washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol instead, the CDC recommends.Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Viruses live on your hands and can easily enter your body this way.If you can, stay away from anyone who is sick. If this is not possible, try to remain at least three feet away from those who are sick. Colds are spread through close contact with infected people.If You Have a ColdIf you're already sick, the CDC recommends following these tips to prevent viruses from spreading to others: Stay home and avoid close contact with others, such as hugging, kissing or shaking hands. Cough and sneeze into a tissue and throw it away. Or cough and sneeze into your elbow, completely covering your mouth and nose. Wash your hands frequently. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects like toys and doorknobs. How to Feel BetterWhile there is no cure for the common cold, over-the-counter medicines can ease symptoms. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new medication, including over-the-counter medications. Not all medications are safe to take. Furthermore, always read the label and use medications only as directed.It's important to talk to your doctor before taking any nonprescription cold medicine. Some medicines contain ingredients that are not recommended for children.Because the common cold is caused by viruses and not bacteria, antibiotics will not help you recover. They may even make it harder for your body to fight future bacterial infections if you take them unnecessarily.When to See a DoctorEven though colds are common, they can sometimes become serious. Call your doctor immediately if you or your child are experiencing one or more of these conditions: Symptoms that last more than 10 days Issues breathing or fast breathing Dehydration A fever that lasts longer than four days Symptoms that are severe, unusual or concerning  

Understanding probiotics and how they affect your health(RxWiki News) You've heard about the importance of having a "healthy gut." You might've even heard about probiotics. But what is the real story on these so-called "healthy" bacteria?It's easy to assume that anything that involves bacteria is bad. After all, bacteria make people sick. But there are countless types of bacteria, and some could even help your health.What Are Probiotics?Put simply, probiotics are "good" bacteria. That means they're not the kind that makes you sick, such as salmonella. Probiotics come in pill form, but they can also be found in certain foods, such as yogurt, cheese and fermented foods.These good bacteria are often the same as or very similar to bacteria that are currently living in your body. But bacteria even the kinds that live inside you right now are not all good or all bad. You have good and bad bacteria inside your body right now, and research suggests that too many of the bad bacteria and not enough of the good bacteria could lead to health problems. These problems include weight gain, bowel issues and various chronic health conditions.How Do Probiotics Work?Whether you take probiotics in pill form or get them from your diet, they're meant to live in your body and help keep things in balance. If you've lost many of the good bacteria after a recent illness, such as an intestinal illness that caused diarrhea, probiotics can replace them.Researchers have spent a lot of time and money studying probiotics, but many questions are still unanswered. Probiotics can involve different types of bacteria, and all of those can have different effects in your body. Are Probiotics Safe?Even if you've never taken a probiotic supplement before, you've more than likely been exposed to these good bacteria. That's because they're in many foods, including a lot of dairy products. The amounts of good bacteria found in food are usually safe.If you have a healthy immune system and are not taking an antibiotic or medication that affects your immune system, taking a probiotic supplement is likely safe for you. Keep in mind, however, many probiotics are sold as dietary supplements which are not always inspected by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the Mayo Clinic, probiotics may be unsafe for people who have a weakened immune system, get infections often or are allergic to the source of the probiotic (such as dairy products). Common side effects of probiotics can include digestive symptoms like gas. Even if you think you're safe to take a probiotic, discuss the idea with your doctor before you begin.

Everything you need to know about the keto diet(RxWiki News) The keto diet is probably one of the most talked about diets. But what is the keto diet, exactly?What Is the Keto Diet?The keto diet is also known as the ketogenic diet. This diet calls for proteins and foods that are high in fat and very low in carbohydrates. It typically requires fewer than 20 to 50 grams of carbs per day. To put that in perspective, you could get 50 grams of carbs from three slices of bread or two medium apples.When you eat a diet high in fat and very low in carbohydrates, ketosis occurs. This is when the body doesn't have enough carbs to burn for energy. Because there are no carbs, the body burns fat instead. The body then makes ketones, which can be used for fuel.This diet may be popular now, but it has been around for about 100 years. It has even been recommended for issues outside of weight loss, such as for children who have epilepsy. This type of diet may help prevent seizures.The keto diet is similar to the Atkins diet. They both are low-carb diets, but the keto diet focuses more on foods that are high in fat.Keep in mind that during the first week of eating a keto diet, you may actually feel bad. You may experience headaches, feel very tired and have "brain fog." You may feel irritable and even have bad breath. Drinking water can help with these symptoms.Is the Keto Diet Safe?Although the keto diet can help you lose weight and may improve blood sugar control in those with type 2 diabetes (short-term), it has not been studied for safety or effectiveness over the long term."The keto diet is primarily used to help reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures in children," said registered dietitian Kathy McManus, of Brigham and Women's Hospital, in an interview with Harvard Health Publishing. "While it also has been tried for weight loss, only short-term results have been studied, and the results have been mixed. We don't know if it works in the long term, nor whether it's safe."Also, this diet encourages you to eat foods high in saturated fat, which is not healthy. The diet calls for meals to be about 70 or 80 percent fat. A diet high in protein and fat can also overload your kidneys and liver.Because vegetables have some carbs, they are often left out of the keto diet. This may lead to nutrient deficiencies and constipation.Is the Keto Diet for Me?There always seems to be a new diet out there. But not every diet is safe for everyone.As described above, the keto diet comes with numerous risks. Plus, this diet is highly restrictive, so it may be hard to follow for very long.Before starting a new diet, ask your health care provider to make sure it's safe for you. Also speak with your health care provider if you have any questions.  

Common cold symptom management options explained(RxWiki News) When you get a cold, you may find yourself rushing to your local pharmacy or grocery store to get some medications to treat it. Keep reading to see what you can do to get better faster.As you may already know, there are tons of different options for fighting some of those annoying cold symptoms. Just walking into the cold remedies aisle at your local pharmacy can be overwhelming. Let us make it easier for you.Having a cold is not the same for everyone. We all experience different symptoms, which means we require different treatments. Below, we discuss four common cold symptoms and some options for treating them. Sore ThroatOne of the first signs of a cold is a sore throat. Your throat gets scratchy and hurts when swallowing. It usually goes away on its own in a couple of days, but it can be quite irritating. One of the things known to help relieve some irritation is keeping the throat moist. Lozenges or hard candies can cause saliva production, helping the throat stay moist.Other options include throat sprays, such as Chloraseptic, that have local numbing and pain-relieving agents. Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen may help, too.Depending on other health conditions you have, lozenges, throat spray or a pain reliever might not be good for you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to see which option is right for you.If your sore throat is severe or does not get better in a couple of days, call your doctor or get checked out immediately.FeverFever is relatively common with colds. It occurs when your bodys temperature increases due to the illness. There are two go-to options to help reduce fever. They are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Acetaminophen is taken every four to six hours, while ibuprofen is taken every six to eight hours. Always read the label for the correct dose for the product you're using.Depending on what other medication you have, one of the two may be right for you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you have a fever greater than 103 degrees Fahrenheit or your fever is not getting better, call your health care provider right away. For infants and toddlers, even slight fever can be a reason for concern. Cough and Chest CongestionWithin a day or two of having a cold, you will likely develop a cough. Coughs can be different in terms of mucus production. There are two important OTC medications to help relieve cough: dextromethorphan (antitussive) and guaifenesin (expectorants). Dextromethorphan works by stopping the cough. Guaifenesin works by thinning the mucus in the lungs so the cough can easily remove it. Drinking lots of fluids will also help thin the mucus.Depending on the type of cough you have, one or both of these medications may be helpful. Dextromethorphan, found in Delsym and Robitussin, can be useful if you have a dry, annoying cough that is keeping you awake or affecting your daytime activities. Guaifenesin, in Mucinex, may be better if you have chest congestion or a cough that is producing mucus. Combinations of these products are also available OTC.Some of these OTC cough treatment options may not be right for you if you have certain conditions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist. A long-term cough should not be treated OTC. It needs to be checked by your health care provider because it may be due to some other underlying condition.Nasal Congestion and Runny NoseHaving a runny nose or nasal congestion is one of those staple signs of a common cold. You can use two types of medications to treat this: decongestants and antihistamines. Both of these work differently to reduce nasal mucus production and relieve a runny or congested nose.Decongestants, like phenylephrine, are better for daytime use, as the side effects of decongestants can keep people awake if taken at night. Antihistamines, like diphenhydramine and doxylamine, are better for nighttime use. One of the side effects of antihistamines is drowsiness. Both are available in various combination day-night products.Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see which product is right for you as not all medications are safe. Decongestants may not be right for you if you have thyroid problems, high blood pressure, diabetes or other conditions. 

Take these simple steps to play a more active role in your health(RxWiki News) Taking an active role in your health and health care is one of the best ways to improve your health and health outcomes. But how, exactly, do you do that?Start with these simple tips.Here are five ways to take a more active role in your health:1. Inform YourselfYour health care providers are responsible for being informed about the latest developments with your health conditions. But the more you know about the conditions you're dealing with, the better the questions you can ask your doctor.Also, when you inform yourself about your family history of particular illnesses or conditions you might have had as a young child, you bring valuable information to your doctor that they couldn't otherwise know.2. Keep Your Doctor InformedToo often, people go to the doctor, get a treatment for their condition prescribed to them and then wait months until their next appointment to tell their doctor about changes in their condition.But you can take a more active role. All it takes is a simple phone call when something changes.For example, if you begin taking a new medication for your condition and notice a mild new symptom developing, call your doctor to let them know.In many cases, information like this can change the treatments you need. And if you don't tell your doctor this need-to-know information, they won't know it's happening.3. Ask QuestionsHealth care providers want to keep you as informed as you want to be. But they don't know what you do or don't already know until you start asking questions.In other words, don't hesitate to ask any and all questions you have about your health. Your health care providers should be happy to answer them, and each answer keeps you more informed.4. Take Notes on Your SymptomsOur lives are busy. In the hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget seemingly small changes in your symptoms and overall health.Then, when you go to the doctor, you don't remember what's going on with your health. And you don't tell your doctor.There's a way to stop this from happening: being more active in your health care. The first step is writing things down.When you notice a new symptom, write it down (and call your doctor). When you notice a symptom going away, write that down, too. Take note of the days you experience certain symptoms and how severe they are.The more information you have for your doctor, the better. So, if it feels significant, take a few seconds to write it down.5. Take Your Medications to the Doctor's OfficeYou might have heard the common wisdom that you should keep a list of your medications to share with any new doctor you see. That's a great start, but you can do better.Instead of just a list of your medications, bring your actual medication bottles to your next doctor's visit.Why is this helpful? Because it leaves no room for error. Your health care provider can see the exact dose and formulation of your medication, rather than just what you've written down.Don't forget to bring all of your medications, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.If you have concerns about your health or health care, reach out to your health care provider as soon as possible.

(RxWiki News) Looking to protect your heart health? Check out these five tips for managing your cholesterol.Cholesterol is necessary for many cellular processes in the body, including making new cells and hormones. However, too much cholesterol especially "bad" cholesterol (known as LDL or low-density lipoprotein) in the blood can lead to the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels. This plaque buildup can lead to heart problems, including heart attacks and strokes.Fortunately, you can make lifestyle choices that can help you keep your cholesterol levels in the healthy range: Eat foods that can help lower LDL cholesterol. Opt for foods like oatmeal, salmon, beans, whole grains, nuts and high-fiber foods (bananas, peaches and apples, for example). These foods can help you control your cholesterol levels. Stay away from foods that can elevate your cholesterol levels, such as whole-fat dairy products, red meat, margarine and sugary snacks like store-bought cookies. Reduce saturated fats and eliminate trans fats in your diet. Exercise regularly. Exercise will help you keep your heart happy and your cholesterol down. Aim for 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise three to four times a week. Moderate-intensity exercise is defined by being able to talk, but not sing, during the activity. Lose weight. If you are implementing the other steps, weight loss should come with time. Losing 10 pounds may correlate with a 5 to 8 percent reduction in your LDL cholesterol levels. Drink in moderation. If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. For women, this means one drink a day. For men younger than 65, this means two drinks a day. (For men over the age of 65, no more than one drink a day is recommended.) One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of 80-proof hard liquor. Quit smoking. If you smoke and have high cholesterol, you have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Smoking damages your blood vessels, and high cholesterol increases your risk for plaque buildup. Both of these things can raise your risk for heart disease. Speak with your local pharmacist for help quitting smoking today. Speak with your health care provider to determine your personal cholesterol goals. Follow up with your health care provider, and regularly have your cholesterol levels checked.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is serious but can be treated(RxWiki News) When the temperature and the time change, a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) sets in for many people. But you don't have to wait for the summer to stop feeling SAD.Read on to learn more about SAD and what you can do about it.What Is SAD?Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression. It recurs with a seasonal pattern that typically begins when the fall and winter months set in. By the time the warmer months of spring and summer roll around, symptoms of SAD tend to subside.This disorder tends to affect people who live farther away from the equator and those who have a family or personal history of depression.SAD is not simply the "winter blues." It is a mental health condition that can have serious effects on people who have it.How Do I Know if I Have SAD?If you typically feel depressed when the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, you may have SAD. Here are some SAD symptoms to watch for, according to the Mayo Clinic: Feeling worthless, guilty or hopeless Feeling depressed for most of the day on most days Having trouble concentrating Losing interest in things and activities you once enjoyed Feeling agitated or sluggish Having trouble sleeping Having changes in your weight or appetite Thinking about suicide or death frequently (Seek immediate medical care if you are experiencing this symptom.) If you are having any of the above symptoms, reach out to your health care provider to discuss your condition and possible treatments.What Are the Treatments for SAD?SAD affects countless people around the world every year. Fortunately, there are effective treatments for this disorder.Possible treatments for SAD include the following, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Medications Medications that are used to treat general depression may be used to treat SAD. These include antidepressants like bupropion and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Psychotherapy A type of cognitive behavioral therapy adapted for SAD treatment is sometimes used. This therapy seeks to change and challenge unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Light therapy In light therapy, bright artificial light is used in sessions in order to replace the sunlight exposure lost when the winter months set in. Dietary supplements Vitamin D supplementation is sometimes used in SAD treatment, although dietary supplements have not been thoroughly studied as treatments for this condition. Many people with SAD also have low levels of vitamin D, which is produced through exposure to sunlight. Talk to your health care provider about which SAD treatment will work best for you or your loved one.