3 Tips to blow away colds and flu

‘TIS the season for influenza to kick in and beat Zululanders out of shape.

But healthcare experts say there are sure ways to beat the flu and stay ahead of the curve of medical costs.

‘Winter has its perks – we get to wear our woolly slippers, drink hot chocolate in bed in front of the telly and there are fewer nagging mosquitoes,’ said Fedhealth Principal Officer Peter Jordan.

‘However, winter is also the time for colds and flu and when it comes to fighting off these two antisocial gremlins, prevention is definitely better than cure.’

1. Pointers for prevention

Wash your hands often and use disposable items if someone in your family is infected.

You should also keep household surfaces clean using disinfectant.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, good nutrition and physical exercise.

Control your stress: Stress is a well-known culprit for colds and flu as it weakens the immune system.

Keep warm. Shivering depresses the immune system and makes you more likely to catch colds.

Also try to eat plenty of protein-packed foods and antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables.

2. Fight the first symptoms

‘A tickle in your throat, a fuzzy head or aches and pains are the first signs of getting a cold or flu and it is essential to act quickly when you feel any of these symptoms,’ said Jordan.

He suggests drinking a lot of water as soon as you start experiencing these symptoms.

Gargling salt water by adding half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water also helps as the salt draws out any excess water in the throat tissues to reduce inflammation and clear mucous and irritants in the back of the throat.

‘Another good suggestion is to use a saline nasal spray to keep your nose clean as this will reduce the impact of the symptoms,’ said Jordan.

One or two tablespoons of raw honey make for a great alternative to cough medicine.

Honey is a natural antimicrobial, which acts as a demulcent, relaxing the cough reflex, and soothing the throat.

3. Boost your immune system

Increase your intake of Antioxidants such as Vitamin C, A and E, beta and mixed carotenes and selenium.

Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and drink a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice every day.

Tea for me. Research shows that people who drink five to six cups of tea each day seemed to get a boost in that part of the immune system that acts as a first line of defence against infection.

Take Pre-and Probiotics to help the gastrointestinal tract and the uptake of important minerals.

Laugh it out. Laughter decreases the amount of stress hormones in your body boosting your mood and immune system.