28 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • JANUARY 3, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
health
Combatting cold and fl u season
When temperatures drop, the risk for
illness, such as colds and the flu, rises.
Each year, millions of Americans suffer
from symptoms ranging from coughing,
sneezing and congestion to aches,
fevers and vomiting that can leave
them feeling less than 100 percent.
While you may not be able to avoid
illness entirely, you can take steps to
protect yourself from the common cold
and more serious bugs like the flu.
This cold and flu season, keep essentials
on-hand from thermometers that
can help you diagnose a fever quickly
to humidifiers and heated blankets
that can potentially help shorten your
recovery time.
If cold or flu viruses happen to strike
you or a family member this winter,
it’s important to consult a medical professional
with any health-related questions.
Find more tips for fighting illness
at eLivingToday.com.
Easy, Accurate
Temperature Readings
Many parents place speed, accuracy
and ease-of-use at the top of their list
when choosing the ideal thermometer.
Consider the Vicks RapidRead Digital
Th ermometer, which consistently delivers
a professionally accurate temperature
reading in Fahrenheit or Celsius
in only two seconds. To help interpret
fever, the Precision InSight feature provides
site-specifi c, color-coded guidance,
since temperatures register differently
between oral, rectal or underarm
readings. Find more information at
VicksTh ermometers.com.
A Warm, Comfortable
Night’s Sleep
Sleep is essential for letting your body
recover, especially when you’re feeling
under the weather. A heated blanket or
mattress pad can provide natural pain
relief and help to relax sore muscles,
ease tension, promote blood flow and
increase body temperature to help fight
fevers that often accompany colds and
the flu. Often washer- and dryer-safe,
featuring variable temperature settings
and available in a variety of sizes to fit
nearly any bed, a heated blanket can
help you get a good night’s sleep and
wake up feeling refreshed.
Combat Dry Winter Air
The cold, dry winter air is an ideal
breeding ground for the flu virus.
However, using a humidifier can add
moisture to the air, help fight cold
and flu symptoms and aid in preventing
dryness and irritation in many
body parts, such as skin, nose, throats
and lips. Available with a multitude
of tank sizes and features to fit nearly
any room in your home, some humidifiers
even offer smart functions, rotating
mist nozzles, programmable timers
and automatic shut-off when they run
out of water.
Reduce Airborne Germs
As the flu virus can survive for up
to 48 hours outside of the body, good
personal hygiene can play an important
role in preventing the spread of
germs. One way to do so is by coughing
or sneezing into facial tissues, which
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
can help reduce the amount of germs
released back into the air. There are
even antibacterial, aloe vera and eucalyptus
varieties available, which offer
added cold and flu fighting benefits
while helping prevent dry skin from the
excess nose blowing that often accompanies
illnesses.
Warm Up with a
Hydrating Beverage
Hydration is a key part of recovering
from nearly any illness, and
warm drinks like tea can help relieve
a cough or sore throat by simulating
salivation and secretions, which can
help soothe and lubricate your throat.
Having a high-quality tea pot on-hand
that alerts you when your hot water is
ready can ensure relief from a warm
beverage is never more than a few
minutes away.
Courtesy Family Features
Multi Specialty Physical
Rehabilitation Center
95 East Merrick Road, Valley Stream, NY 11580
• Pain Management
• Internal Medicine
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Physical Therapy
SPINAL &
SPORTS
INJURIES,
ARTHRITIS, POST
SURGICAL &
MORE!
We accept most types of Insurance & Workers Compensation
Please call to make an appointment: 516-218-2225
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