Preparation is Key to Cold and Flu Prevention Year Round

Don't think that warm weather means that you don't have to worry about cold and flu.

(NewsUSA) - While most people associate cold and flu with winter, warmer weather does nothing to cut your risk -; you can catch a cold at any time, year round. Despite the extensive warnings about the H1N1 virus in the fall, the majority of Americans saw this past cold and flu season as about the same or only slightly worse than the previous year, according to an online survey conducted by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., makers of Zicam Cold Remedy.

The survey also revealed that many Americans heeded the warnings about H1N1 -; in fact, 95 percent of respondents said they took proactive steps to avoid cold and flu this winter. And those who took proactive steps to defend themselves against the flu shouldn't stop now.

"It's important to remember that preparation and early treatment are the best defenses against the common cold, which can strike year round," noted Dr. Tim Tucker, Pharm.D., FAPhA, and immediate past president of the American Pharmacists Association.

Dr. Tucker recommends acting as soon as cold and flu symptoms become apparent. "Zinc products, such as Zicam Cold Remedy, can reduce the duration of your cold if taken within the first 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms," said Dr. Tucker.

In addition to basic precautions, like getting enough rest, taking a daily multivitamin, drinking fluids and washing hands, Zicam Cold Remedy offers additional tips to help you stay healthy all year:

1. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and clean frequently touched surfaces, such as keyboards and door knobs.

2. Eat a balanced diet, and avoid sugar. Do treat yourself to dark chocolate, as it contains antioxidants and mood-boosters.

3. Exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. Regular exercise strengthens the immune system.

4. Avoid stress. Setting a hectic schedule can cause immune-weakening stress and fatigue and interfere with your ability to get enough rest.

5. Relax. Recharge your batteries at least once a day, even if only for 10 or 15 minutes.

For more information, visit www.zicam.com.

Salt and Your Health

Lowering your family's salt consumption will decrease the risk of developing high blood pressure.
(NewsUSA) - Salt is essential to keeping your body's fluids in balance. But too much salt can lead to a host of health problems.

The chemical name for dietary salt, or table salt, is sodium chloride. Most doctors focus on the sodium part.

"The best-known effect of sodium on health is the relationship between sodium and blood pressure," explains Dr. Catherine Loria of the National Institutes of Health.

Dozens of studies, in both animals and people, have shown that increasing salt intake can raise blood pressure. And high blood pressure has been linked to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and other health problems.

About one in three adults nationwide has high blood pressure. Another third have blood pressure numbers high enough to risk developing high blood pressure. That's why, Loria says, "it's really important for the majority of the population to reduce their blood pressure."

Experts recommend that people take in less than 2,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day. People with high blood pressure should shoot for 1,500 mg or less. But right now, the average man in the United States takes in over 4,000 mg of salt per day, and the average woman over 2,800 mg.

Would you miss the taste? "Several studies have shown that as you gradually reduce sodium intake, you lessen your desire for salty food," Loria says. In the U.K., where salt consumption has dropped by 10 percent over the past five years, surveys found that most people didn't notice any difference in the taste of their food.

Most of the salt in the average American's diet comes in prepared and processed foods, including restaurant food, cold cuts and canned foods. Surprisingly, over 20 percent comes from grain products, such as breads, cereals, crackers and chips.

"I think the best guidance we have is for people to pay attention to nutrition facts on the labels," Loria says. Try to choose foods that list less than 5 percent of the daily value of sodium per serving on the nutrition facts label.

Even small reductions in salt can help your blood pressure. If you can't find a low-salt alternative to a particular food, try something that's lower than what you usually buy.

Why not start now? Make small changes at first, and then keep working to gradually lower your family's salt intake.

How to Be a Prepared Patient

Be prepared to ask your doctor for written explanations and instructions.

(NewsUSA) - Aches and pains aren't always readily attributable to a particular disease, and receiving a medical diagnosis often takes more than one doctor's visit. Doctor-patient teamwork can help facilitate an efficient and proper diagnosis. Becoming an advocate for your own health and knowing the right questions to ask your doctor can help.

How can you take a more active role in helping your doctor understand your health condition? One simple solution provided by the Arthritis Foundation is to "Take P.A.R.T."

P - Prepare a list of questions, concerns and symptoms to discuss. Keep a detailed journal of your symptoms, including the times they occurred and associated environmental factors. For example, was a particular pain triggered by a certain food or activity?

A - Ask questions during your appointment. It's a good idea to bring a list of questions with you, as well as a friend or family member to ask questions you may not have identified.

R - Repeat what your doctor recommends so you can be sure you understand. Ask for written instructions.

T - Take action. Inform your doctor of your lifestyle and habits, as well as any concerns and preferences, so a treatment plan can be customized to your specific needs.

"Patients who track their symptoms are better prepared to communicate effectively with their doctors," said Dr. John Klippel, CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. "Accurate information helps both parties work together to determine the best possible treatment options."

Fostering open communication with one's doctor is particularly important for patients with hard-to-diagnose diseases like the autoimmune disorder rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as symptoms can be attributed to other medical conditions. Furthermore, there is no single diagnostic test for RA.

There are programs that help patients and doctors work together to manage health conditions by communicating openly. The Arthritis Foundation's Let's Talk RA program, sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb, offers national meetings, educational podcasts and a communication kit that includes step-by-step discussion tips, as well as a symptom tracker that RA patients can use with their rheumatologists -; all at no cost.

The Let's Talk RA communication kit can be ordered at no charge through the Arthritis Foundation's Web site, www.arthritis.org/letstalkra

Women: Don't Let Migraines Take Over Your Life

(NewsUSA) - According to the National Headache Foundation, many women report that migraines make them feel like they're losing control of their own lives. But women can take steps to keep migraines from interfering with day-to-day activities.

Migraine is the most common form of disabling headache, affecting about 50 million Americans. About 75 percent of the Americans suffering migraines are women. Doctors believe that fluctuations in hormone levels, which women undergo until menopause, may be responsible.

Migraines cause such severe pain that most sufferers find themselves debilitated, and women juggling professional and domestic responsibilities can ill afford to put their lives on hold. Luckily, faster and more effective treatments are becoming available. The makers of LipiGesic-M (www.lipigesic.com), a non-prescription migraine medication, offer the following tips:

* Start a migraine journal. Most migraines are caused by specific triggers. Learn what triggers cause your migraines, and you learn how to prevent them. Start a journal in which you record waking time, bedtime, temperature, meals eaten and whether or not you are having a period. When you do have migraines, you can look into your journal for trends. Common triggers include lack of or too much sleep, skipped meals, loud noises, wine, caffeine, stress, weather changes and foods containing aspartame, MSG or nitrates.

* Try all-natural solutions. Certain herbs, such as peppermint and ginger, may help ease headaches. Feverfew, a plant related to daisies, may be especially effective in treating migraines. LipiGesic-M uses a revolutionary sublingual delivery method to speed its migraine-fighting ingredients into the bloodstream, resulting in quick pain relief. You can get on with your life within minutes.

* Reduce stress. Everyday stresses, such as an upcoming deadline or worries about a child's grades, cause most headaches. Help eliminate stress by exercising, eating healthily, getting enough rest and practicing relaxation techniques, like meditation.

For more information, visit www.lipigesic.com.