Jun 16, 2009 -
Earlier today, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning for consumers to stop using Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel, as well as adult and kid-size Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs.
The over-the-counter, homeopathic cold medicine contains zinc and can cause long-lasting or permanent loss of smell. Since 1999, the FDA has received 130 reports of loss of smell associated with these Zicam products.
- 15 Comments
Mar 12, 2009 -
Spring may be on its way, but we're still not in the clear when it comes to cold and flu season. Germs are still lurking everywhere, so take a few minutes to disinfect the things you touch every day at work, in your home, and in your car.
At Work
At Home
In Your Car
- Keyboard
- Office phone
- Mouse
- Pens, stapler, and other office supplies
- Buttons on calculator, printer, and fax machine
- Reusable water bottle
- Eyeglasses
- Cell phone
- Doorknobs
- Light switches on walls and on lamps
- Buttons on microwave, coffee maker, remote control, etc.
- Handle to the fridge
- Faucets
- Alarm clock
- Steering wheel
- Stick shift
- Interior buttons for the radio, windows, and heat/AC
- Interior and exterior door handles
- Rear view mirror
- Seatbelt buckle
Source
- 5 Comments
Mar 11, 2009 -
Winter is slowly receding and in many places Spring has sprung, even though the official start date is more than a week away. With Spring weather comes blooming plants, trees, and shrubs, and with those lovely flowers comes pollen, the irritant that brings on hay fever. I lived for years in denial of my seasonal allergies and pretended that I had a cold .
- 3 Comments
Mar 04, 2009 -
It may be March, but we're still not over cold and flu season yet. If you're feeling ill, you may want to call in sick to work, but if your symptoms are severe, what you really might need is a visit to your doctor. According to FamilyDoctor.org, adults should call their doctors when:
- Your temperature is above 102°F for a few days
- Symptoms last more than 10 days, or they seem to get worse instead of better
- You have trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- You experience chest pressure or pain
- You feel like you're about to faint
- Symptoms include confusion or disorientation
- You experience severe or persistent vomiting
- You have severe pain in the head or forehead
- You have hoarseness, sore throat, or a cough that won't go away after 10 days
Your doctor may make some recommendations for things to do at home, or she may request you come in for an appointment.
- 5 Comments
Feb 27, 2009 -
For many of you, wintry weather doesn't exactly inspire you to spend time outside. It's so nice to stay inside where it's warm, but remember that it's also cold and flu season. So give yourself a break from all those germs floating around, and make time to get outside at least once a day.
- 5 Comments
Feb 23, 2009 -
If you find yourself in a waiting room, be it at the doctor, dentist, or chiropractor, do not pick up the magazines lying on the coffee table. You have no idea how many germy people have touched them, and since people go to the doc because they're feeling sick chances are high that those mags have some germs on their pages. If you flip through one, it's a great way to end up sick.
- 15 Comments
Feb 18, 2009 -
A post-workout sauna is one of my favorite treats at the gym, especially after swimming. Now I have a new health rationalization for heading to the sauna every time I am at the gym: taking regular saunas seems to reduce your chances of catching a cold. In an Austrian study taking regular saunas, over the course of six months, decreased participants' colds by almost half when compared to study participants who skipped the sauna.
- 13 Comments
Feb 18, 2009 -
When I feel a cold coming on, I want nothing more than to complain about my discomfort and lie on the couch watching romantic comedies. Let's face it though, we can't always call in sick for a little case of the sniffles. We also don't want to downplay our symptoms and go to work when a contagious virus is pulsing through our bodies.
- 13 Comments
Feb 13, 2009 -
I believe in the power of a hot shower for warming up before a cold morning run or for a relaxing post-workout treat. A hot shower is also a natural way to relieve cold symptoms. The hot water and steam work like a natural decongestant, which can relieve sinus pressure too.
- 11 Comments
Feb 11, 2009 -
It's cold and flu season and just about everyone I know is sniffling, sneezing, and all stuffed up. To deal with these nasal symptoms, you can pop decongestants like Sudafed, but they'll cause annoying side effects like dry mouth, sore throat, and headaches, and can lead to sinusitis. Plus if you think about it, your body creates all that mucus to help flush the germs out.
- 33 Comments
